Wildfire bars fans from Tour de France segment as parts of Europe sizzle again under extreme heat

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By SUMAN NAISHADHAM
Updated 9:25 AM CDT, July 6, 2026
Leer en español

MADRID (AP) — A large wildfire in the south of France prompted Tour de France organizers to ban fans on Monday from attending the finale of the third stage of the cycling showpiece race.

After a couple of days in Spain, the race entered France with a stage to the Pyrenees town of Les Angles, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from a fire that has burned almost 1,821 hectares (4,500 acres) of land.

Tour de France organizers said the large wildfire currently in the Pyrénées-Orientales required a large mobilization of wildfire-fighting resources, internal security forces, and other government agencies.

“The top priority remains the protection of people, property, and natural areas, as well as bringing the fire under control,” authorities said.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/heat-fire-europe-climate-change-8b78a5d051273e24455357da63551fef

[Bayard]

1. Not good for the riders' lungs either,

Especially since they'll be working much harder than the average citizen.