French firefighters stabilize key wildfires as high risk persists

French firefighters have stabilized several major wildfires, though high risks persist across southern regions. In the Aude department, the blaze near Montséret was brought under control after burning approximately 100 hectares, while an active fire near Puilaurens remains contained within a 225-hectare area despite challenges posed by inaccessible terrain.

Elsewhere, emergency services extinguished the fire in the Var department, where prefectural authorities nevertheless prohibited public entry to seven forest massifs due to extreme conditions. Flames in Drôme and Gironde have stopped advancing. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a visit to Gironde on August 17 to oversee local rehabilitation efforts. Official records indicate that wildfires have consumed more than 115,000 hectares across France this year.

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