Southern France wildfire contained after burning 2,550 hectares

Firefighters have successfully contained a significant wildfire that erupted in the Var region of southern France, bringing an end to its rapid spread. The blaze, which ignited on Tuesday, consumed an estimated 2,550 hectares of land before being brought under control.

Regional fire chief Eric Grohins reported that while the fire's perimeter is now contained, meaning it is no longer actively spreading, numerous hotspots remain. Fire crews are maintaining a high level of vigilance to manage these residual flames. The area affected is roughly double the size of London Heathrow Airport.

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At this time, the fire is contained on its perimeter, which means it is almost no longer spreading.

Nearly 1,000 firefighters, supported by specialized water-dropping aircraft, worked tirelessly to combat the flames. The fire's rapid escalation was attributed to the exceptionally dry conditions prevalent in the region, which lies along the French Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Nice. These conditions have heightened the risk of forest fires significantly this year.

As a precautionary measure, approximately 400 people were evacuated from their homes. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. The early start to the wildfire season in 2026, exacerbated by recurring heatwaves and drought, has led to frequent fire outbreaks across France, keeping emergency services on high alert.

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However, there are still many hotspots, a lot of fire is still burning in places, so we are very vigilant this morning.