French wildfires scorch over 40,000 hectares in July 2026

In July 2026 a series of wildfires ripped through western and southern France, burning more than 40,000 ha of forest and vegetation. Major blazes included:

- A 20‑hectare fire near Trignac (Loire‑Atlantique) that destroyed three houses and forced the evacuation of 92 households. - A roughly 10‑hectare blaze in a shantytown on the eastern outskirts of Nantes that razed precarious dwellings, displaced about 70 residents and prompted the use of a municipal gym as temporary shelter. - A fast‑spreading fire in the Var, around Taradeau and Les Arcs‑sur‑Argens near Frejus, that swept over 180‑200 ha, destroyed several homes and vehicles, and required more than 600 firefighters, five Canadair planes, helicopters and other aerial assets. Train services between Toulon and Les Arcs were suspended. - Additional smaller incidents on the Mediterranean coast and in the Haute‑Corsica mountains added to the total area burned.

The government declared red and orange vigilance alerts across numerous departments, imposed restrictions on open flames, barbecues and motor‑vehicle use in forests, and mobilised thousands of emergency personnel. Over 111 people were arrested for arson or negligence. A donation drive was launched to restore the 2,000‑ha Fontainebleau forest after a separate blaze. The scale of the fires, the evacuations of hundreds of residents and the extensive firefighting deployment underscore the severity of the season.