A major wildfire in France’s Pyrenees-Orientales department has spread across nearly 1,650 hectares.

Axar.az reports, citing French media, that the fire broke out on Saturday, July 4, at around 7:30 p.m. in a difficult-to-access forested area near the commune of Trevillach, about 35 kilometers west of Perpignan.

According to department prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, the blaze has a fire edge of about 18 kilometers, requiring major ground and aerial resources.

Around 700 firefighters, 200 vehicles and nine aircraft have been deployed to battle the flames.

Authorities said around 160 people have been evacuated, while residents of several villages were told to stay indoors. Two people, including a local resident and a firefighter, were injured.

Officials said the fire has been fueled by very dry vegetation, strong winds and high temperatures.