By Gilles Guillaume and America Hernandez
PARIS, July 5 - The third stage of the Tour de France that will take place on Monday will be closed to the public due to risks posed by a forest fire raging in southwestern France, officials said on Sunday.
The fire has ravaged more than 1,600 hectares (6.18 square miles) some 60 km (37 miles) from the finish line in Les Angles and is still spreading.
Images of the fire show billowing black smoke, with eyewitnesses reporting scorching winds, hot ground, difficulty breathing in the vicinity and poor visibility beyond 2 metres (6.56 feet).
The race route will remain unchanged, but the Tour's publicity caravan will not drive along the last 40 km into France from Spain where it began on Saturday.
PARIS, July 5 - The third stage of the Tour de France that will take place on Monday will be closed to the public due to risks posed by a forest fire raging in southwestern France, officials said on Sunday.
The fire has ravaged more than 1,600 hectares (6.18 square miles) some 60 km (37 miles) from the finish line in Les Angles and is still spreading.
Images of the fire show billowing black smoke, with eyewitnesses reporting scorching winds, hot ground, difficulty breathing in the vicinity and poor visibility beyond 2 metres (6.56 feet).
The race route will remain unchanged, but the Tour's publicity caravan will not drive along the last 40 km into France from Spain where it began on Saturday.
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