ISTANBUL

A massive wildfire that erupted in the southern French town of Pennes-Mirabeau has scorched more than 750 hectares (1,853 acres) of forest and continues to spread toward Marseille, authorities said Wednesday.

A statement from the Bouches-du-Rhone prefecture said more than 800 firefighters supported by 250 fire trucks, six aircraft, and seven helicopters were deployed to battle the flames, which intensified due to strong mistral winds.

The blaze, which reportedly began when a vehicle caught fire along a motorway, spread rapidly, prompting the evacuation of 400 residents, the French broadcaster BFMTV reported.

In total, 94 people, including firefighters, police officers and civilians, sustained light injuries, with 26 requiring hospitalization.

While officials confirmed that the fire’s intensity has decreased, they warned that it has yet to be fully stabilized.

"We remain extremely vigilant," said Mickael Biberon, spokesperson for the UNSA firefighters union, citing persistent winds as a major challenge for containment efforts.

The fire destroyed at least 10 homes in Marseille and caused damage to 71 buildings, two warehouses and 15 vehicles.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring department of Aude, a separate fire that broke out Monday has already devastated nearly 2,000 hectares of vegetation and remains uncontained.

"There are still two kilometers of untreated edge," said Colonel Christophe Magny, head of Aude’s fire and rescue service.

"Conditions remain risky," he added, warning that shifting winds could reverse the fire’s direction.

Authorities have reiterated that roadsides and abandoned lands are particularly vulnerable, with the Ministry of Ecological Transition stating that nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity.

Efforts to bring the fires under control are ongoing as emergency services brace for continued high winds and dry conditions.​​​​​​​