French firefighters stabilize key blazes across southern departments

Emergency crews in southern France have stabilized several major wildfires after days of high alert, though officials warn that hazardous conditions persist. In the Aude department, a 100-hectare fire near Montséret and a 225-hectare blaze in Puilaurens have both stopped advancing, despite lingering active hot spots in remote terrain.

In the Var department, recent blazes were extinguished, but local authorities prohibited access to seven forest massifs due to severe fire risks. Meanwhile, containment progress on the Gironde mega-fire has prompted Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu to schedule an August 17 visit to initiate regional recovery efforts. Official figures indicate that more than 115,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year.

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