Marseille, France - July 08, 2025 A raging wildfire near Marseille led to the shutdown of Marseille Provence airport on Tuesday, with smoke filling the sky and parts of the city, according to dramatic footage shared by X user Daisy. The fire broke out near Les Pennes-Mirabeau, just north of the city. Officials said about 74 acres were burning as 168 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze. Fire engines and helicopters were actively involved in the response. The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture warned residents, “At this stage, populations must remain confined to residential areas.” It also urged people to “Close shutters and doors, keep your property clear for emergency services, and do not travel on the roads.” High winds have made the situation worse, with evacuations taking place in Les Pennes-Mirabeau. BFM TV showed footage of the winds bending trees and shaking on-air reporters during live broadcasts. A spokesperson for Marseille airport confirmed that no planes had taken off or landed since midday. Flights were diverted to nearby airports including Nice and Nimes. The disruption comes at the beginning of France’s summer vacation season, and there is no estimate for when the airport might reopen. A Marseille resident reported that the fire's smoke could be smelled in the city center, with the sky visibly affected. The Marseille municipality issued another warning: “The fire is spreading. Avoid all outdoor activities and do not block emergency access routes. Follow instructions and alert messages.” In a separate incident, another wildfire continues to burn near Narbonne in southwestern France. It started on Monday and has already consumed 2,000 hectares, driven by winds reaching 60 kilometers per hour, according to the local prefecture.