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
Wildfire smoke releases hazardous pollutants including particulates and carbon monoxide
Forest fire smoke releases dangerous air pollutants including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (acrolein, formaldehyde, benzene), and semi-volatile compounds. Exposure can cause respiratory irritation and reach downwind populations for hours or days depending on weather conditions.
Global wildfire smoke causes approximately 154,000 annual deaths
The Lancet estimated in its autumn 2025 annual report on climate change health risks that approximately 154,000 deaths worldwide are linked to air pollution from fine particulates in forest fire smoke.
Record wildfire in France burns 98,000 hectares
A wildfire in France burned 98,000 hectares, described as a historical record, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Saturday. The fire occurred in the Gironde region, with smoke reaching Bordeaux on Friday. Seven communes near Bordeaux were evacuated early Saturday.
France distributes 1.5 million FFP2 masks to wildfire-affected areas
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the distribution of 1.5 million FFP2 protective masks to Gironde to protect residents from wildfire smoke exposure. The masks are recommended by health authorities (Anses) for vulnerable populations exposed to smoke.
France experiences approximately 2,800 annual premature deaths from wildfire air pollution
Oxfam estimates that approximately 2,800 premature deaths occur annually in France due to air pollution caused by forest fires.
French Prime Minister orders A400M military transport plane deployed to Gironde wildfires
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requested the deployment of an A400M military transport aircraft to combat major wildfires in Gironde, accelerating its deployment from the planned late July date to Saturday. The aircraft is equipped with an Airbus-developed fire retardant dropping kit capable of dispensing 20 tonnes of fire retardant, equivalent to two Dash aircraft.
Wildfires burn approximately 22,000 hectares across Gironde and Landes
Wildfires ravaged approximately 22,000 hectares across the Gironde and Landes departments. In the Var department, fires burned 3,200 hectares, with fire resuming in the Bessillon massif as wind conditions persisted.
French military deployment increased to 1,000 soldiers for wildfire support
The number of military personnel deployed to support firefighting efforts against wildfires in Gironde and Landes was increased from 500 to 1,000 soldiers to assist civil protection and emergency services.
Gironde prefecture declares highest alert level for forest fires
The Gironde prefecture placed the department under black alert (level 5 out of 5) for forest fires, implementing exceptional restrictions including bans on smoking in forest areas, unauthorized human presence, sporting and cultural events, thermal and electric motor use, and public recreational site access.
Political controversy over timing of A400M deployment for wildfire response
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party, criticized the government for not acting earlier on his alert regarding A400M deployment, arguing the aircraft had been in service in Spain for a year. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon responded that while tests had been conducted, this represents the first operational deployment. National Rally leader Jordan Bardella called for government accountability regarding delays and insufficient resources for civil security.
Over 140,000 people evacuated due to wildfires in Gironde and Landes departments
More than 140,000 people were evacuated due to wildfires ravaging the Gironde and Landes departments. The evacuations included 110,000 people from Gironde and 31,000 from Landes. Seven communes near Bordeaux were evacuated preventively, including Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Le Haillan, Saint-Jean-d'Illac, and Mérignac.
Major wildfires ravage southwestern France, particularly Gironde
Wildfires are raging across southwestern France, with particularly severe fires in Gironde and the Landes departments. In Gironde, approximately 20,000 hectares have been burned by flames that remain out of control and are threatening the Bordeaux region and its surroundings. The fires have also affected the Var department and other areas across French territory.
Lot firefighters deployed to Landes and Gironde wildfires
Firefighters from the Lot department were mobilized to reinforce wildfire efforts in southwestern France. Sixteen firefighters accompanied by four fire engines departed from Souillac around 9 PM on Friday, July 24, heading toward Bordeaux. Additionally, an initial group of Lot firefighters had departed for Biscarrosse in the Landes earlier on Friday morning.
Smoke from Gironde wildfires detected across central France
Smoke from the major wildfires in Gironde and the Landes has traveled hundreds of kilometers across France. The Lot department experienced strong smoke odors during the night of July 25-26, with the sun appearing orange-tinted in the morning. Air quality in Lot was classified as 'very poor' due to the smoke. Similar phenomena were reported in Corrèze, Tarn-et-Garonne, and Haute-Garonne. Residents reported irritated eyes and throat irritation.
Firefighting situation stabilizing in Hautes-Pyrénées
The wildfire situation in the Hautes-Pyrénées is under control. The fire at Barèges is contained despite a small resumption during the weekend. The fire at the Véolia center in Bénac is also contained. However, authorities warned that the situation remains sensitive and urged vigilance.
Loire firefighters deployed to Gironde and Var wildfires
The Loire department fire service (SDIS 42) sent multiple reinforcement groups to assist with major wildfires. On Saturday, 15 firefighters and five vehicles were deployed to Gironde as part of column Fox-Trot to combat an enormous wildfire that had already burned over 40,000 hectares of forest. Additionally, 18 firefighters and five vehicles were sent to the Aude department in column Echo.
Hautes-Pyrénées firefighters deployed across multiple wildfire zones
Firefighters from the Hautes-Pyrénées (SDIS 65) were mobilized to combat wildfires across southern France. After fighting fires in Vaucluse through Friday, approximately 20 personnel were redeployed. Thirteen firefighters with two fire engines were initially deployed to the Biscarosse fire in the Landes, then repositioned to the Bordeaux agglomeration. Four additional personnel were engaged in controlled burning operations in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Picardy firefighters deployed to wildfire zones
The Aisne department fire service deployed 19 firefighters to Gironde for an initial five-day period, with equipment including a light off-road vehicle, a tanker truck, two forest fire tanker trucks, and a victim assistance rescue vehicle. This deployment complemented existing Aisne personnel already engaged in the Var, with initial mobilizations in the Pyrénées-Orientales and recent deployments to the Landes. The Oise department sent 11 additional firefighters to Gironde, bringing their total commitment to 44 personnel. The Somme sent 12 firefighters and two vehicles.
Storage building fire threatens house and vegetation in Lot
A storage cabin fire occurred in Fons, Lot, on Saturday, July 25, around 9 AM. The building was completely engulfed in flames. The fire threatened to spread to an adjacent house and surrounding vegetation. Rapid firefighter intervention from Figeac, Livernon, and Lacapelle (16 firefighters total) using a fire truck lance prevented the spread and extinguished the fire.
France deploys approximately 100 firefighters from Hauts-de-France to southwestern wildfires
The Hauts-de-France region deployed approximately 100 firefighters to southwestern France to assist with major wildfires. This represents an additional deployment following an earlier deployment of about 50 firefighters to the Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude two weeks prior.
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Corsican wildfires destroy 544 hectares across two separate incidents
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