Wildfires sweeping across southern France have put the third stage of the Tour de France at risk, AFP reports.

A final decision on whether the stage will take place will be made later in the day, said Pierre René de la Motte, prefect of the Eastern Pyrenees.

According to him, the issue is being discussed due to the worsening situation: the fire has already spread across about 1,500 hectares, and around 700 firefighters have been deployed to combat it. The blaze is located about 70 kilometers from the stage’s finish point in Les Angles, where the riders are due to arrive on Monday.

Authorities have also ordered the closure of the main road leading to the race route because of the fire’s spread. Officials say the blaze has intensified again, and all efforts are being focused on containing it.

Fires are also continuing simultaneously in other Southern European countries — Spain, Portugal, Greece, and France. As a result, more than 19,000 hectares of forests and farmland have already burned. Hundreds of residents have been evacuated.

Meteorologists warn of a further rise in temperatures to 40°C, which is complicating firefighters’ work and increasing the risk of new outbreaks. Elevated fire danger levels have been introduced in a number of countries.

In Greece, the fire led to the evacuation of areas around the city of Thessaloniki, where thick smoke from burning industrial facilities prompted warnings for residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. In Spain and Portugal, the fight against major fire outbreaks is also continuing, with local services reporting difficult conditions due to heat and wind.

According to meteorologists and climatologists, the current heatwave is intensifying the wildfire season, which began earlier than usual this year. Experts link the increasing frequency of extreme temperatures and fires to the effects of climate change.