A wildfire has forced the evacuation of thousands of people in southern France as the country grapples with the impacts of an early summer heat wave that devastated much of Europe.

More than 10,000 people have been ordered to leave more than a dozen small towns and villages in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, near the border with Spain.

The fire, located in Trévillach, near Perpignan, has burned at least 4,600 hectares (11,366 acres), local prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe said in a post on X.

“This morning conditions are worsening again,” warned Interior Minister Laurent Núñez on French television TF1. “Today the battle resumes.”

Authorities have warned that strong winds could further fan the wildfire.

“It occurred 300 meters from the houses. We were surprised by how quickly it spread, it was astonishing, bordering on panic,” Patrice, from Trévillach, told AFP.

Tour de France spectators were urged to stay away from the conclusion of the third stage of the cycle race on Monday to allow emergency vehicles access to the area.

The third stage, 195.9 kilometers (121 miles), begins in the Spanish city of Granollers and concludes in Les Angles, located in the French Pyrenees-Orientales region.

Tour organizers have asked fans and non-essential staff to stay away from the final 40 kilometers and said the caravan of team vehicles following them will now be kept to a minimum.

“An exceptional fire requires exceptional measures for the Tour,” said race director Christian Prudhomme. “We invite the public not to approach the edge of the race or the finish line.”