France stabilises major wildfires as burnt land reaches 115,000 hectares

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Aug 23, 2026, 04:30 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-08-23-1630
France stabilises major wildfires as burnt land reaches 115,000 hectares
Photo: RTBF Info

French emergency crews have contained several regional wildfires, including blazes in Aude, Var, and Gironde, as national burnt land totals reach 115,000 hectares this year.

Firefighters across France have stabilized several major wildfire fronts, bringing key blazes under control despite persistent seasonal risks. In the Aude department, emergency teams successfully contained a vegetation fire near Montséret after it scorched roughly 100 hectares, leaving crews deployed to monitor remaining hot spots.

Containment operations have progressed across other regions as well. Officials confirmed that fires in the Var department have been extinguished, blazes in Drôme are contained, and the major fire in Gironde is no longer advancing. According to official estimates from the Ministry of the Interior, wildfires have burned approximately 115,000 hectares nationwide since the beginning of the year.

In response to the widespread damage, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to visit Gironde on 17 August to oversee recovery and reconstruction efforts.

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

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