Flights Disrupted in France's Marseille as Wildfires Rage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wildfires raging near Marseille, France, have disrupted flight schedules in the port city, with some residents facing evacuation and others advised to take shelter indoors. As the country's second-largest city, Marseille is a popular destination for tourism and culinary exploration. 

But the wildfire on Tuesday, July 8, has forced the Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) to close and several flight schedules to be canceled, as quoted from Euronews. Additionally, train services were also disrupted in most surrounding areas, and some roads were closed or obstructed by piles of charred wood.

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan stated that the blaze had subsided, albeit not completely extinguished, by Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Residents who were previously isolated were allowed to leave their homes but were advised to remain cautious. "I call on all Marseille residents to exercise the utmost caution in the area, as emergency services are hard at work," he was quoted as saying by Independent.

Canceled Flights

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) resumed operations on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, but travelers are advised to prepare for disruptions. On its website, the airport urged travelers to review the latest departure and arrival schedules directly and to contact relevant airlines for further information.

Travelers were also asked to pay attention to travel times to the airport, as access to transportation hubs by public transport and road from Marseille was still disrupted. According to local officials, the airport may be closed for commercial flights to prioritize aerial resources in the event of a recurrence of the fire.

Wildfire Alert

The wildfire risk in southern France continues to increase due to a heatwave over the past few weeks, accompanied by strong winds. More than 1,000 firefighters have been deployed to combat the blaze that originated near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau before quickly spreading to Marseille.

Approximately 720 hectares of land have been burned, as revealed by local authorities. Although there have been no casualties, hundreds of residents were evacuated. The affected residents were advised to remain indoors, while those in the northern regions were instructed to close their windows to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes. High-risk areas for forest fires in France include Bouches-du-Rhone, Var, and Vaucluse.

Heatwaves Loom in Europe

A heatwave caused by a 'heat dome,' where high pressure traps hot air from North Africa, is threatening the European region. Several regions, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, and France, are scorched with very high air temperatures.

As reported by Time Out, 50,000 people were evacuated from Izmir, Turkey, due to wildfires in the region last week. Forest fires also spread to Crete due to high temperatures and strong winds. Meanwhile, in the UK, high temperatures have affected several regions such as London and other southern areas, reaching 35 degrees Celsius.

Editor’s Choice: Europe's Heatwave: A Traveler's Guide to Staying Safe and Cool

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