French firefighters stabilize southern blazes as fire risk restrictions remain

Emergency responders across southern France continue to manage multiple wildfire fronts, with several blazes now declared stabilized or extinguished. In the Aude department, crews brought the fire near Montséret under control after it burned through approximately 100 hectares. Meanwhile, the Puilaurens blaze remains active across 225 hectares, where difficult terrain continues to hamper ground access to localized hotspots.

Progress was reported across other regions as blazes in the Drôme department stabilized, the Var fire was extinguished, and the massive Gironde blaze halted its advance. Nevertheless, prefectural authorities in the Var department restricted access to seven forest massifs due to severe ongoing risks. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to visit Gironde on August 17 to launch local recovery plans. Official figures indicate over 115,000 hectares have burned nationwide this year.

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