French emergency services stabilize key wildfires despite lingering hotspots

Wildfires across France show mixed progress, with several key blazes now stabilized while difficult terrain hampers containment elsewhere. In the Aude department, emergency crews successfully brought a 100-hectare fire near Montséret under control, though a separate 225-hectare blaze in Puilaurens remains active due to steep, inaccessible ground.

Across other regions, authorities reported that fires in the Var department have been extinguished, although extreme risk levels prompted access restrictions to seven forest massifs. In Gironde, where the primary fire has stopped advancing, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced an August 17 visit to begin local reconstruction efforts. According to official estimates, wildfires have burned over 115,000 hectares across France this year.

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