Firefighters battle to avoid reignition of France’s largest wildfire in decades

A forestry worker operates during France’s largest wildfire in decades in Fontjoncouse, southern France (Manu Fernandez/AP)

About 1,400 firefighters were deployed in France’s southern Aude region to prevent the country’s largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as all residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Aude prefect Christian Pouget said the fire has been contained since Thursday after burning this week more than 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) in the wooded region, known for its wineries.