France, July 2 -- Firefighters were battling on Thursday to bring a major blaze in the Aude region, near the border with Spain, under control, after flames spread through dry vegetation in difficult conditions.

Local authorities said weather conditions remained unfavourable, with high winds risking spreading the fire farther.

The fire, which began on Wednesday, came days after a record-breaking heatwave across much of Europe and as France's weather office warned that another spell of extreme heat could hit next week.

French health authorities estimate last week's record temperatures may have caused 1,000 excess deaths.

By late Wednesday, the blaze had covered 800 hectares. "The fire is contained at times, but it is not under control,"...