Haute-Corse wildfire spreads as firefighting operations intensify
Haute-Corse wildfire spreads across 260 hectares over nine days amid ongoing firefighting efforts.
Event / Disaster
European Wildfire Crisis 2026
Record-breaking wildfire season across Europe in 2026, including major fires in France (Gironde, Var, Drôme), Spokane Washington, and Athens Greece, with concurrent heat waves causing mass evacuations and casualties.
8 reported locations
Daily activity
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Jul, 06:14 UTC
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What happened
France records unprecedented burned area by mid-July 2026
France recorded over 42,000 hectares burned by mid-July 2026, exceeding the previous record of approximately 40,000 hectares burned during the same period in 2022. This represents more burned area than the entirety of 2025. July 2026 alone totaled nearly 15,000 hectares burned, making it the second most destructive July in the past 20 years after July 2022, which saw nearly 27,000 hectares burned.
Seven firefighters injured and one fire truck damaged in Var wildfire
Four firefighters and two residents of Pontevès were slightly intoxicated by smoke from the wildfire. One firefighter was slightly injured by a falling rock, one fire truck was damaged, and one fire truck's water tank was damaged during operations.
Wildfire season in France 2026 begins earlier than normal due to extreme climate conditions
The 2026 wildfire season in France began earlier than usual, accelerated by recurring heat waves and persistent drought conditions. Extreme climate conditions including high temperatures and dry vegetation are making firefighting operations particularly difficult and dangerous.
Firefighter fatality rate increases in France in 2026
Seven firefighters have died in France during 2026, compared to nine deaths in 2025, seven in 2024, six in 2023, and eight in 2022. The firefighter mortality rate continues at elevated levels.
Nearly 400 people evacuated from Var wildfire
Approximately 400 residents were evacuated from five communes in the Var region due to the wildfire threat, primarily from Pontevès where the fire originated. Reception centers were established to accommodate the evacuees.
Recent wildfire in Var destroyed homes near Arcs-sur-Argens
A major wildfire burned 200 hectares and destroyed residences in the Var region between July 20-21, 2026 near the commune of Arcs-sur-Argens, preceding the larger Pontevès fire.
Over 2,300 households lose electricity in Var due to wildfire
More than 2,300 households were left without electricity due to the wildfire in the Var region, primarily in the commune of Cotignac, as power infrastructure was affected by the fire.
Wildfire in Var, France burns over 2,550 hectares in 24 hours
A wildfire declared on July 21, 2026 in a field in Pontevès, Var, France burned over 2,550 hectares within 24 hours. The fire spread extremely rapidly, advancing from 30 hectares to 1,700 hectares by evening of July 21, then continuing to 2,250-2,550 hectares by the morning of July 22. The fire threatened the communes of Cotignac, Correns, and Montfort-sur-Argens.
Lightning-caused wildfire in Hautes-Alpes burns 130 hectares
A wildfire sparked by a lightning strike five days before July 22, 2026 burned 130 hectares in the Écrins mountain range in Hautes-Alpes. The fire occurred in a remote, difficult-to-access area above the communes of L'Argentière-la-Bessée and Freissinières. Ninety firefighters were mobilized, with operations complicated by falling rocks that injured one firefighter and damaged equipment.
900 firefighters and extensive aerial resources deployed against Var wildfire
A total of 900 firefighters, 350 vehicles, and 60 gendarmes were mobilized to combat the wildfire. Aerial resources included eight Canadair water bombers, four helicopter water bombers, and two Dash aircraft. More than 100 water drops were conducted before aerial operations ceased at nightfall due to lack of visibility.
Wildfire in Haute-Corse continues to spread despite ongoing operations
A wildfire near Corte in Haute-Corse continued to spread across approximately 260 hectares despite nine days of firefighting efforts. A separate wildfire in the Albertacce area, covering 284 hectares, was contained but remained under active surveillance.
90 firefighters deployed to battle Hautes-Alpes wildfire in Écrins massif
Ninety firefighters were mobilized to combat the lightning-caused wildfire in the Hautes-Alpes, with operations hampered by rocky terrain and difficult access to the affected area.
Rockfalls injure firefighter and damage equipment in Hautes-Alpes wildfire response
During firefighting operations in the Hautes-Alpes, rockfalls complicated rescue efforts. A female firefighter was slightly injured by falling rocks, and a two-ton boulder damaged firefighting equipment.
Lightning-caused wildfire in Hautes-Alpes burns 130 hectares in Écrins massif
A wildfire in the Hautes-Alpes region, ignited by a lightning strike five days before July 22, spread across 130 hectares in the Écrins massif in an uninhabited and difficult-to-access mountainous area above the communes of L'Argentière-la-Bessée and Freissinières.
Four firefighters and two civilians slightly intoxicated by smoke from Var wildfire
Four firefighters and two residents of Pontevès suffered mild smoke inhalation during firefighting operations. A fire service tanker truck was also damaged during the response.
Major wildfire in Var region burns 1,700 hectares in several hours
A wildfire that started in a field in the Var region burned 1,700 hectares in a few hours and spread rapidly down a mountain at very high speed. The fire threatened multiple communes including Cotignac, Correns, and Montfort-sur-Argens in the forested and hilly terrain of the Toulon hinterland.
900 firefighters mobilized to fight Var wildfire with aerial and ground support
Emergency response to the Var wildfire mobilized approximately 900 firefighters, 350 vehicles, 60 gendarmes, eight Canadair water-bombing aircraft, four helicopter water bombers, and two Dash aircraft. Over 100 water drops were conducted before nightfall operations ceased due to poor visibility.
Between 300 to 400 people evacuated from communes threatened by Var wildfire
Authorities evacuated between 300 and 400 people from multiple communes threatened by the rapidly spreading fire, including residents from Pontevès, Sillans-la-Cascade, and the three communes directly threatened: Cotignac, Montfort-sur-Argens, and Correns.
Nearly 40,000 hectares burned across France in 2026 year-to-date
As of July 22, 2026, approximately 40,000 hectares had been burned by wildfires across France since the beginning of the year, significantly exceeding the total burned in all of 2025. The Interior Minister attributed the high burn rate to repeated heat waves and severe drought conditions.
2026 wildfire season started earlier than normal in France
The 2026 wildfire season in France began earlier than usual, with firefighters facing daily fire departures throughout the country. The early start was driven by repeated heat waves and significant drought affecting vegetation.
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2 alternative perspectives
Pontevès wildfire escalates to 2,550 hectares, seven firefighters injured
Pontevès wildfire expands to 2,550 hectares; 400 evacuated, seven firefighters injured.
France's 2026 burn season breaks records with 40,000 hectares charred
France's early 2026 wildfire season has burned 40,000 hectares with major incidents across multiple regions.
Corsican wildfires destroy 544 hectares across two separate incidents
Corsican wildfires burned 544 hectares across Corte and Albertacce regions.
Lightning sparks 130-hectare wildfire in Hautes-Alpes Écrins massif
Lightning sparked 130-hectare wildfire in Hautes-Alpes; rockfalls injured firefighter during response.
Var region mobilizes 900 firefighters against spreading wildfire threat
Var wildfire forces mass evacuation and deploys 900 firefighters as 1,700 hectares burn.