Firefighters bring major French blazes under control after widespread destruction

Firefighting efforts across southern France have largely brought recent blazes under control, though lingering risks remain high. In the Aude department, emergency crews contained a 100-hectare fire near Montséret, while a 225-hectare blaze in Puilaurens halted its expansion despite remaining active in inaccessible terrain. Meanwhile, authorities in the Var region completely extinguished local fires, though public access to seven forest massifs was barred due to severe conditions.

In Gironde, the massive wildfire has been contained, prompting Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu to announce an upcoming visit on 17 August to launch regional reconstruction plans. Official statistics confirm that wildfires have destroyed more than 115,000 hectares across France this year.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info