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Var wildfire doubled overnight to 2,500 hectares; 400 evacuated, 1,200 firefighters deployed.
The Var wildfire has burned 2,500 hectares overnight, marking a dramatic escalation from previous assessments. The blaze originated from a malfunctioning electric fence in Pontevès, authorities confirmed.
400 people were evacuated from communes including Cotignac as the fire advanced. Emergency response has scaled significantly, with 1,200 firefighters now mobilized to combat the expanding blaze—exceeding earlier deployment figures.
Casualties have mounted during operations. Four firefighters and two residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, reflecting the fire's intensifying hazards. The overnight expansion underscores the unpredictable pace of wildfire spread in Var's conditions, compounding challenges for containment efforts already straining regional resources.
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Firefighting response escalates with 1,200 personnel mobilized overnight
The fire's overnight expansion prompted emergency deployment adjustments. 1,200 firefighters now engaged against the blaze, representing a significant increase in personnel commitment. The scale of mobilization reflects the fire's accelerating growth and geographic spread across Var communes, necessitating sustained resource intensification to manage escalating containment demands.
Rapid overnight growth forces mass evacuation and casualty toll
The 2,500-hectare overnight burn forced 400 evacuations from affected communes. Six people hospitalized for smoke inhalation demonstrates the fire's immediate health consequences. The rapid expansion compressed decision-making timelines, requiring swift evacuation protocols and emergency medical response to manage civilian and firefighter exposure.