France is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years, with nearly 40,000 hectares of forests and vegetation destroyed since the beginning of 2026, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.
The burned area has already exceeded the total recorded for all of last year and has surpassed the levels seen in 2022, a year widely regarded as one of the country’s most severe wildfire seasons.
French authorities have arrested 111 people in connection with the outbreaks. According to Nunez, human activity remains the primary cause of wildfires, with approximately nine out of ten fires believed to have been started either deliberately or accidentally.
Firefighters Continue Battle in Southern France
Hundreds of firefighters remain deployed across the country, particularly in southern regions such as Var and Corsica, where crews continue working to contain active blazes.
Authorities have warned that the wildfire risk will remain extremely high throughout the week due to persistent heatwaves, prolonged drought, and dry vegetation that continues to fuel the spread of fires.
Expanded Aerial Firefighting Effort
To combat the fires, France has mobilized a large aerial firefighting fleet consisting of around 70 aircraft, including Canadair water-bombing planes, Dash firefighting aircraft, and specialized helicopters.
The French government has also ordered four additional Canadair aircraft to strengthen its wildfire response capabilities in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the national weather agency, Météo-France, has placed 27 departments under a high wildfire risk alert, urging residents to exercise extreme caution as authorities work to prevent further outbreaks.
Officials continue to stress that preventing human-caused fires remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of the ongoing wildfire season.
