Paris — France’s biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said.

The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region, and has already burned more than 13,000 hectares (50 sq miles) - an area larger than Paris - making it the largest wildfire in France this year. More than 1,800 firefighters, who were supported by 500 vehicles, were deployed to the area.