Key facts
- Wildfires have burned at least 800 hectares in southern France's Hérault and Aude departments.
- Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated.
- Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with water-dumping aircraft deployed.
- The fires are fueled by drought, high winds, and extreme temperatures from a European heatwave.
- France is bracing for another wave of extreme heat next week.
Wildfires are raging in southern France, particularly in the Hérault and Aude departments, having burned at least 800 hectares of land and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents and tourists. Firefighters are battling the blazes, which are fueled by drought, strong winds, and extreme temperatures linked to a deadly European heatwave.
Authorities reported that the fires were not yet fully under control due to wind gusts and ongoing drought, despite efforts including the deployment of water-dumping aircraft. The local administration noted that weather conditions remained unfavorable due to high winds.
The wildfires follow a record-breaking heatwave across Europe in late June 2026, which caused approximately 1,000 excess deaths in France, primarily among the elderly. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group have stated that such extreme heat events are now significantly more likely due to human-driven climate change.
France's weather office has warned that another wave of extremely hot weather could occur next week. The European Forest Fires Information System (EFFIS) indicates that the EU has seen extensive land burned in 2026, with very extreme fire danger forecasts for western and central Europe. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu visited Marseille to discuss wildfire prevention and response strategies.