French firefighters contain several wildfires as recovery efforts begin

Firefighters across southern France have made progress containing several blazes, though rugged terrain continues to hamper operations in certain areas. In the Aude department, emergency teams stabilized a 100-hectare fire near Montséret, while a 225-hectare blaze in Puilaurens remains active as remote hotspots impede ground crews. Meanwhile, officials confirmed that fires in the Var region have been extinguished and blazes in Drôme and Gironde are no longer advancing. Authorities have restricted forest access in high-risk zones as nationwide burned land reached 115,000 hectares this year. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu will visit Gironde on 17 August to oversee reconstruction in damaged communities.

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