Wildfire Threatens Tour de France Stage in Southwestern France

A wildfire that has burned more than 1,500 hectares in southwestern France could threaten the third stage of the Tour de France on Monday, when riders are scheduled to cross the finish line in Les Angles, about 60 km from the blaze.

A decision on whether to cancel the stage will be made "before the end of the day", local authorities said on Sunday, though race director Christian Prudhomme had earlier said the route could be adjusted if necessary.

Extreme heat and wildfires have broken out across Europe, with fires in France and Spain raising safety concerns during this year's Tour de France, which began Saturday in Barcelona.

(Reuters, SU)