French emergency services stabilize key wildfires as recovery planning begins

French emergency services have contained several major wildfires across southern regions, though firefighter operations remain active in complex terrain. In the Aude department, the blaze near Montséret in the Corbières massif was officially stabilized after sweeping through roughly 100 hectares. However, a separate wildfire in Puilaurens remained active across 225 hectares, with responders contending with difficult access to localized hotspots.

Containment efforts also achieved progress elsewhere, as blazes in the Drôme department were stabilized and the extensive Gironde fire stopped advancing. Prefectural authorities in the Var department maintained forest access restrictions due to severe risk levels, despite extinguishing local blazes. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu scheduled an August 17 visit to Gironde to launch regional recovery plans. Official estimates indicate over 115,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year.

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