France, July 6 -- The fire has burned more than 1,600 hectares about 60 kilometres from the stage's finish line in Les Angles, spreading black smoke, which makes it difficult to breathe and limits visibility beyond two metres.

The race route from Granollers in Spain will remain unchanged, however, but the Tour's publicity caravan will not drive along the last 40 kilometres into France.

Only racers and their support vehicles will be allowed, Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, the prefect of the Pyrenees-Orientales department, said Sunday, asking spectators not to go near the route or finish area, to allow security forces to focus on fighting the fire.

"In other words - and I regret having to say this - it will be, in France at least, a stage ...