Fans told to avoid Tour de France stage 3 due to ‘major wildfires’

Fans have been asked not to gather along the final section of stage 3 of the Tour de France today due to “major wildfires” in the Pyrenees-Orientales by the race organisers ASO. 

Stage 3 runs from Granollers, Spain, outside Barcelona, where the race began. It then heads to the Pyrenees before crossing into France and ending in Les Angles. 

Yet forest fires raging in southwest France, some 60km (37 miles) from the finish line, have prompted ASO to make changes to the stage. 

Changes to stage 3

While the race route will remain unchanged, the public has been banned from attending the stage and the race caravan will not drive along the last 40km. The event will be limited to the passage of the riders and essential vehicles.

“These measures aim to limit the mobilization of public resources to what is strictly necessary, so that they can be prioritized for rescue and firefighting operations,” ASO said in a statement released last night (Sunday 5 July). 

The frontline of the fire stretches for 18km with roughly 750 firefighters, 200 vehicles, nine water-bombing helicopters and other aircraft working to contain the blaze, according to Reuters. 

Extreme heat has spread across Europe, with wildfires breaking out in France and Spain, which has led to safety concerns around the Tour de France.

Ahead of the Grand Depart, race director Christian Prudhomme said the organisers were taking extra measures to protect the riders and fans with temperatures set to hit 40˚C along the route. 

Highly changeable conditions

ASO said the conditions today along stage 3 “remain highly changeable” and further adjustments could be made. 

“The Prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales and the Director of the Tour de France salute all those involved (firefighters, internal security forces, staff from government agencies, local authorities, accredited civil protection associations, and all other responders) who have been working tirelessly to combat this fire.

“They express their full solidarity with the communities affected by this event and thank both residents and visitors for their understanding and civic-mindedness in the face of the exceptional measures made necessary by the situation,” ASO said.