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
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Jul, 06:14 UTC
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What happened
Evacuation ordered for Cap-Ferret peninsula villages
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine prefecture ordered evacuation of multiple villages on the Cap-Ferret peninsula in Gironde after the fire breached firefighting containment lines around 1:00 AM on Friday, July 24. Affected villages include Claouey, Le Four, Les Jacquets, Petit Piquey, and Grand Piquey. Residents were ordered to evacuate immediately via the D106 road toward Bordeaux.
800 firefighters fighting Var wildfire
Approximately 800 firefighters were engaged in battling the wildfire in the Var department. Improved weather conditions toward the end of Thursday facilitated firefighting efforts and enabled the return of some evacuees.
Wildfire near Biscarrosse burns 1,200+ hectares
A separate wildfire sparked by a vehicle near Biscarrosse in the Landes department on Thursday rapidly spread, burning over 1,000-1,200 hectares by Thursday evening and advancing toward the city limits.
9,000 people evacuated from Biscarrosse fire zone
Approximately 9,000 people were evacuated from the Biscarrosse area due to the wildfire that spread rapidly on Thursday. At least 250 firefighters were mobilized on Thursday evening.
800 firefighters battling Gironde wildfire
Approximately 800 firefighters were engaged in efforts to combat the Gironde wildfire by Thursday-Friday, with the fire likely being of accidental origin.
Firefighter injured by explosion in Gironde
A firefighter was injured by an explosion, likely from a gas cylinder, while fighting the fire in Gironde.
Wildfire in Var department burns 2,700 hectares
A wildfire that began in Pontevès in the Var department continued to spread into the hinterland due to poor weather conditions, burning approximately 2,700 hectares by Thursday. The fire resulted in 500 evacuations.
Nearly 20,000 people evacuated from Gironde fire zone
Approximately 20,000 people were evacuated preventively from the Gironde fire sector starting Wednesday. Several residential homes were destroyed by the flames in the Lège-Cap-Ferret area.
France activates EU civil protection mechanism for fires
President Emmanuel Macron announced in the night of July 23-24 that he requested activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism in response to the severe wildfire situation. The measure aims to coordinate international assistance for firefighting efforts.
Wildfire in Gironde burns 4,800 hectares
A wildfire that began on Wednesday in Saumos, Gironde, has burned approximately 4,800 hectares by Thursday evening. The fire spread northward toward the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula. Conditions were unfavorable for firefighting operations.
EU sends international firefighting resources to France
In response to France's activation of the EU civil protection mechanism, international firefighting resources were deployed to assist. These included two Croatian Canadair aircraft, two Portuguese Air Tractor aircraft, and two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from Czech and Slovak sources.
Major wildfire in Gironde burns over 2,000 hectares, forces evacuation near Arcachon basin
A severe wildfire in Gironde department burned more than 2,000 hectares beginning Wednesday and prompted the evacuation of approximately 12,000 residents and tourists near the Arcachon basin.
Over 12,500 wildfires reported in France since January 2026, burning 44,000 hectares
The French government reported that more than 12,500 fire starts have occurred since January 2026, with total burn area reaching 44,000 hectares. This exceeds the 2022 wildfire season, when fires burned over 30,000 hectares in the Landes de Gascogne forest region, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 50,000 people.
A400M equipped with 20-ton water-dropping capacity and chemical fire-retardant dispersal capability
The A400M has been equipped with a specialized water-dropping kit with a capacity of 20 tons. In addition to water delivery, the aircraft can disperse chemical fire-retardant products to slow fire propagation by creating firebreaks. Unlike Canadair aircraft, the A400M refuels on the ground rather than on water, can operate from short unprepared airstrips, and is capable of night operations.
French government deploys A400M military transport aircraft for wildfire suppression by end of July
The French government announced the deployment of the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft to assist with wildfire suppression efforts across multiple French regions. The aircraft, in service since 2013, has been equipped with a water-dropping system capable of delivering the equivalent of three Canadair aircraft in water volume. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon announced the deployment would occur by the end of July 2026, with the aircraft expected to be operational within days pending completion of equipment installation and crew training.
1,200 firefighters mobilized to combat Var wildfire
French emergency services deployed 1,200 firefighters at peak intensity, 350 vehicles, and 60 gendarmes to combat the wildfire, with reinforcements from multiple regions. Before nightfall when aerial operations ceased, over 100 water drops were completed by eight Canadair aircraft, four water-bombing helicopters, and two Dash planes.
Wildfire originated from malfunctioning electric fence in Pontevès
The fire originated in a field in Pontevès from a malfunctioning electric fence used to confine livestock, according to the mayor of Cotignac.
400 people evacuated from Var communes due to wildfire
Approximately 400 residents were evacuated from the communes of Pontevès, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns, and Montfort-sur-Argens. Reception centers were established in each affected commune to house displaced residents.
Wildfire in Var, France burns 2,500 hectares overnight
A wildfire that started Tuesday in the Var department of southeastern France burned more than 1,700 hectares by nightfall and continued its rapid progression overnight, eventually consuming 2,500 hectares across the communes of Pontevès, Cotignac, Correns, and Montfort-sur-Argens. The fire descended from Gros Bessillon mountain at very high speed, surprising firefighters despite favorable wind conditions.
Four firefighters and two residents hospitalized for smoke inhalation
Four firefighters and two residents of Pontevès were treated for mild smoke inhalation. One firefighting truck was damaged during operations.
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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.