Fires in Var officially extinguished, prefecture announces

Relief has spread through France's Var region as authorities announced the official extinguishing of two significant wildfires. The Gros Bessillon fire, which raged for nearly a month after igniting on July 21, has finally been brought under control. This unprecedented blaze consumed 5,700 hectares of land, requiring the dedication of over 11,000 firefighters and substantial aerial resources, including 3,800 water drops.

While the Gros Bessillon fire was declared fixed on August 7 and then mastered on August 11, the final confirmation of its extinction brought an end to the prolonged struggle. Adding to the good news, a second fire in Ginasservis, sparked by lightning on August 14, was also officially declared extinguished on Tuesday evening. This smaller fire covered 30 hectares and involved more than 200 firefighters.

The Var prefecture extended its gratitude to the firefighters and all individuals who contributed to combating the blazes. Furthermore, the prefecture reminded residents that President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to implement the same aid measures for affected communes in the Var as were previously deployed in Gironde, offering support to those who faced evacuations and confinement.

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We are so humbled for this victory but the main focus is wrapping up this Saturday on a good note.