French firefighters stabilize Corbières blaze as fire risk remains high

Firefighters in southern France have contained the blaze near Montséret in the Aude department after it burned approximately 100 hectares. However, emergency services continue to monitor the nearby Puilaurens wildfire, which remains active across 225 hectares of difficult terrain in the Corbières massif.

Across the country, authorities maintain high alert levels. In the Var department, public access to seven forest massifs has been restricted due to extreme wildfire risks, even as local fires were declared extinguished. In Gironde, where major blazes are no longer advancing, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced an August 17 visit to coordinate regional reconstruction efforts. Official estimates indicate that wildfires have consumed 115,000 hectares across France this year.

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