Tour de France Stage 3 Evacuation Orders Due to Wildfires

Safety Measures for Monday’s Mountain Stage

Tour de France fans have been urged not to attend the end of the third stage because wildfires rage in the south of France. Monday’s mountain stage will begin in Granollers, Spain, and finish within 60 kilometres of the worst fires across the border in Les Angles. The 195.9km route remains unchanged, but organisers have asked spectators and non‑essential personnel to stay clear of the final 40km. “An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour,” said race director Christian Prudhomme. He added, “We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site.” Organisers can block fans from entering the finish area, though they cannot monitor the entire final 40km stretch.

Route Closure and Fire Details

A critical stretch of the mountain pass providing access to the race will be closed for the stage. The blaze is confined to the Pyrenees‑Orientales region, where aircraft are currently deployed to fight the flames. Nearly 3,000 people were evacuated after the fire ignited near Perpignan on Thursday. Authorities have contained the fire, but the ongoing risk remains for the final segment of the route.

Wider Weather Context

Europe has been battling extreme heat and wildfires over recent weeks, highlighted by a record-breaking heatwave recorded in June. The hot conditions have raised fire risk across the continent, contributing to the incidents affecting the Tour. High temperatures and drought have made containment efforts more challenging for emergency services.

Race Standings After Stage Two

Jonas Vingegaard holds a narrow lead over reigning champion Tadej Pogacar in the general classification standings after Isaac del Toro won stage two on Sunday. Both riders are separated by a few seconds, making the upcoming mountain stage decisive for the overall fight. Vingegaard’s small advantage keeps the championship tightly contested as the race moves into fire‑affected territory. The drama continues with the next stage looming, adding another layer of challenge for the competitors.