17,000 hectares of land burned in French wildfires

Wildfires have ravaged 17,000 hectares of land in France this year, a figure expected to rise to approximately 25,000 hectares once all current blazes are accounted for, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

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When the figures for the current fires are finalized, I expect about 25,000 hectares to have been affected, which is double the amount compared to the same period in 2025.

Darmanin stated in an online broadcast that this year's total is double that of the same period in 2025. On Saturday alone, 250 fires were recorded, with about 30 deemed critical. The minister highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the substantial increase in land affected by fires.

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139 people have drowned in rivers since June 19.

In addition to the wildfire crisis, Darmanin also reported a concerning rise in drownings. He stated that 139 people have drowned in rivers since June 19, an 18% increase compared to the previous year. This dual increase in natural disasters underscores a challenging summer for France.

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In comparison with 2025, the increase is 18 percent.