French emergency crews stabilize major wildfires as total burned area hits 115,000 hectares

Wildfires across southern France show signs of stabilization as emergency personnel continue tackling active blazes. In the Aude department, emergency teams contained a 100-hectare fire in Montséret within the Corbières massif after deploying 240 firefighters and ten aircraft. Meanwhile, an active 225-hectare blaze in nearby Puilaurens remains uncontained due to steep, inaccessible terrain.

Authorities in the Var department restricted public access to seven forest massifs due to severe fire risks, even as local fires were extinguished. In Gironde, where the primary wildfire has stopped advancing, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu scheduled an August 17 visit to initiate local reconstruction efforts. Official figures report that wildfires have burned over 115,000 hectares across France this year.

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