French emergency services contain major wildfires as risk levels remain high

Firefighters across southern France have stabilized several blazes, though emergency services remain on high alert due to severe weather conditions. In the Aude department, a wildfire near Montséret that burned 100 hectares was brought under control following a major response involving 240 firefighters, 60 vehicles, and ten aircraft. Meanwhile, another blaze in Puilaurens covering 225 hectares remains "active" due to difficult terrain, despite its perimeter being stabilized.

In the Var department, where previous fires have been extinguished, authorities closed seven forest massifs to the public on Friday as a precaution against extreme wildfire risks. Nationwide, official figures show that over 115,000 hectares have been destroyed by fires this year. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to visit Gironde on August 17 to initiate regional reconstruction efforts following massive fire damage.

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