Marseille wildfire latest: Huge blaze rages on edge of French city and shuts airport

A large plume of smoke is seen from the wildfire on the outer edge of Marseille - (AFP via Getty Images)

All flights have been grounded in Marseille after a fast-moving wildfire reached the outer edges of the French city.

Local authorities have warned people in affected areas to stay at home with doors and windows closed to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes.

Some 168 firefighters, two helicopters and 68 engines were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire could be smelled in the centre of Marseille, a resident told Reuters, and smoke covered parts of the city.

"The fire is spreading," the Marseille municipality posted on social media. "Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages."

There have been no reports of casualties.

Marseille airport announced that the runway had been closed at around midday.

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Airport closed as huge wildfire reaches outskirts of Marseille in southern France

Residents told to ‘close shutters and doors’ as wildfire rages

Key Points

• Marseille airport says flights have not been taking off since midday
• Fire burning near city is 'apocalyptic', locals say
• Two housing estates in nearby town evacuated

Meteo France says Mediterranean is in 'critical situation'

17:30 , Daniel Keane

The Meteo-France weather service has said that the Mediterranean is in a “critical situation” as temperatures surge across Europe.

In a statement on its website, Meteo-France said: “The heatwave that hit the country from June 19 to July 4 exacerbated soil drought and weakened vegetation across the country.

"Along the Mediterranean coast, vegetation drought is taking hold. The spring rains allowed the growth of many grassy plants, which dried out following the very hot and dry month of June. This can fuel fires. This state of vegetation drought for early July is highly unusual, similar to historical years like 2017."

Pictured: Police officer attempts to put out far in car in Marseille's L'Etaque district

17:15 , Daniel Keane

(AFP via Getty Images)

More than 18,000 people in lockdown as wildfire rages in Catalonia

17:00 , Daniel Keane

Spanish authorities have ordered more than 18,000 residents of the northeastern Tarragona province to remain indoors and several dozen were evacuated as a wildfire raged out of control.

Large parts of Spain are on high alert for wildfires after the country experienced its hottest June on record.

Two people died in a wildfire on July 1 in the region of Catalonia where Tarragona is located.

The latest fire broke out early on Monday in a remote area near the village of Pauls, where strong winds and rugged terrain have hampered firefighting efforts, authorities said.

Pictured: Firefighters and police at work in the L'Etaque district of Marseille

16:30 , Daniel Keane

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Wildfire in southern France remains active

16:17 , Daniel Keane

Meanwhile, a wildfire that started near Narbonne, in southwestern France, is still active, fanned by winds of 60 kilometres per hour.

Some 2,000 hectares have burnt, the local prefecture said.

Marseille airport says flights have not been taking off since midday

16:10 , Daniel Keane

A spokesperson for Marseille airport, France's fourth-busiest, said planes had not been taking off or landing since around midday.

Some flights had been diverted to Nice, Nimes and other regional airports.

It is unclear when the airport will reopen.

Two housing estates evacuated in nearby town

15:52 , Daniel Keane

Michel Amiel, the mayor of the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau, told BFM TV that two housing estates had been evacuated.

"At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas," the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture posted on X.

"Close shutters and doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads."

Smoke rises during a wildfire in Pennes-Mirabeau (AP)

Locals says fire is 'apocalyptic'

15:48 , Daniel Keane

A resident in a town near Marseille has told the Reuters news agency that a fire burning outside the city is “apocalyptic”.

Monique Baillard, from Les Pennes-Mirabeau, said: “It’s very striking - apocalyptic even.”

She said many of her neighbours had already left, even if there were no evacuation orders, adding: "We’re staying unless the firefighters tell us to evacuate."

"The smoke is very striking, very acrid," said another resident, named Jacqueline Revilla.

"We were ordered to stay confined via a message on our mobile phones. We're waiting for further updates for now."

In pictures: Fire rages on the outskirts of Marseille

15:42 , Daniel Keane

The pictures below show smoke rising from the wildfire that is currently raging on the outskirts of Marseille.

(AP)

(Malik H via REUTERS)

Wildfires shut Marseille airport: everything we know

15:38 , Daniel Keane

Flights scheduled at Marseille Airport have been suspended after a wildfire raged close to the southern French port city.

All residents in the local prefecture have been urged to stay indoors and close their windows to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes.

Live TV footage showed light smoke giving the sky over Marseille's old port a dusty aspect.

There have been no reports of any casualties so far.