French firefighters stabilize key wildfires as burnt land exceeds 115,000 hectares

Emergency responders across southern and western France have contained several major wildfires, though severe weather conditions keep threat levels elevated. In the Aude department, firefighters stabilized a 100-hectare blaze near Montséret, while a 225-hectare fire in Puilaurens remained active in rugged terrain despite halting its forward spread.

In the Var department, recent blazes were fully put out, but prefectural officials prohibited access to seven forest massifs due to extreme fire danger. Meanwhile, containment progress on the Gironde mega-fire prompted Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu to schedule an August 17 visit to begin regional reconstruction. Official reports confirm that over 115,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year.

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