French firefighters contain key blazes as total burned area reaches 115,000 hectares

French emergency services continue to tackle wildfires across southern regions, though officials report progress on several major fronts. The blaze near Montséret in the Aude department is now contained after burning 100 hectares, while a separate fire in Puilaurens remains active across 225 hectares owing to inaccessible terrain.

In the Var department, local blazes have been extinguished, yet authorities prohibited public access to seven forest massifs due to severe heat risks. Meanwhile, conditions in Gironde have stabilized, prompting Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu to schedule an August 17 visit to initiate reconstruction efforts. According to the Ministry of the Interior, wildfires have destroyed 115,000 hectares across France since the start of the year.

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