# Heatwave wildfires continue across southern France

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/coimbra-region-firefighting-boost
> Updated: 2026-07-08T14:37:12.000Z. Sources: 182. Developments: 29.

The wildfire that ignited near Trévillach on 6 July remains active, having burned an estimated 4,600–4,900 ha in the Pyrénées‑Orientales. Around 800–850 firefighters, supported by 200 ground vehicles and a mixed fleet of helicopters, Canadair water‑bombers, DASH aircraft and EU aerial assets from Romania, Cyprus and Sweden, continue the attack.

Evacuations now total roughly 12,000 residents from 26 municipalities in the Aspres massif and Ille‑sur‑Têt, with shelters in Perpignan gyms and community centres. Eleven injuries have been recorded, including seven firefighters, and dozens of homes are damaged.

In Gard, several hundred hectares have burned, the A9 motorway was closed twice, and judicial investigations are probing possible criminal liability. Prosecutors say the fire in Milhaud likely started accidentally near a pallet warehouse; other blazes in Pujaut, Roquemaure and Rochefort‑du‑Gard are also under scrutiny, and two suspects previously detained after the Lédenon fire were released.

The Drôme blaze above Die has consumed about 3,700 ha, forced the evacuation of 400 people (including 350 campers), and has claimed one firefighter’s life with 11 others lightly injured.

Three new fires near Perpignan have threatened a campsite and a spa refuge, prompting additional evacuations. The cumulative area burned across France is now roughly 14,500 ha, about double the same date last year.

Orange‑level heat‑wave alerts cover 61 departments, with temperatures forecast at 40‑41 °C. Tactical fire‑breaks are being cut, but extreme heat, low humidity and shifting winds keep the fire uncontained.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-08: France wildfires scorch thousands of hectares across Gard, Drôme and Pyrénées‑Orientales

Wildfires in Gard, Drôme and Pyrénées‑Orientales have burned over 14,000 ha, closed the A9, caused evacuations, one firefighter death and multiple investigations.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-wildfires-scorch-thousands-of-hectares-across-gard-drme-and-pyrnesorientales

### 2026-07-05: Comboios de Portugal Restores Train Service After Heat Wave

Comboios de Portugal will resume normal train service on Monday, introducing seat‑management and other safety measures as extreme heat eases.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/comboios-de-portugal-restores-train-service-after-heat-wave

### 2026-07-05: Pyrénées‑Orientales wildfire forces 12,000 evacuations in France

A July wildfire near Trévillach in France’s Pyrénées‑Orientales burned ~4,800 ha, forced 12,000 evacuations, injured 11 people and halted Tour de France spectators, amid a 40 °C heat wave.

22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-europe-forest-fires-force-thousands-to-flee-amid-record-heat

### 2026-07-05: Portugal's Vouzela forest fire response and Águeda festival revival

Over 1,300 responders fought Portugal's massive Vouzela forest fire, drawing EU aid, while Águeda thanked crews and resumed its AgitÁgueda festival after the blaze.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-vouzela-forest-fire-response-and-gueda-festival-revival

### 2026-07-05: Vouzela wildfire burns over 13,000 hectares, now under control

A 13,000‑hectare wildfire in Vouzela, Portugal, is now dominated but hot spots persist; dozens of firefighters remain on site after two severe injuries and the loss of a biomass factory.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vouzela-wildfire-contained-risk-of-reignitions-persists

### 2026-07-03: Portuguese Air Force Deploys Helicopters in Rural Firefighting for First Time

Portugal's Air Force joins rural fire‑fighting with Black Hawk and Koala helicopters, new detection strategy, B3 unit ready 16 July, and plans for C‑130 kits and Canadair bombers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-health-minister-warns-of-prolonged-heatwave-and-raises-alert-level

### 2026-07-03: Portugal's CP suspends six Intercidades trains as heat wave sparks fire risk

Portugal's CP cancels six Intercidades trains over the weekend due to extreme heat and fire risk; red alerts cover many districts, prompting health warnings and state‑of‑alert extensions.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-heat-wave-raises-elderly-disappearances-and-nighttime-health-risks

### 2026-07-02: Portugal battles massive Vouzela forest fire as EU aid arrives

A massive forest fire near Vouzela, Portugal, has burned over 12,000 ha, injured up to 47 people and mobilised 1,200+ firefighters with EU aid from Spain, Italy and Morocco.

66 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-activates-eu-civil-protection-mechanism-amid-extreme-heat-and-wildfire-risk

### 2026-07-02: Portugal's Environment Minister Calls for Water Savings Amid Heat Wave

Portugal's environment minister urges water conservation and warns of possible localized blackouts as a red heat alert covers many districts amid temperatures up to 44 °C.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-environment-minister-calls-for-water-savings-amid-heat-wave

### 2026-06-30: Portugal, Spain and France face record heatwave and massive wildfires

A record heatwave in Portugal, Spain, France and Greece has driven massive wildfires, burning thousands of hectares, injuring nine people and prompting cross‑border fire‑fighting assistance.

80 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-issues-heatwave-alert-as-wildfires-threaten-homes-and-infrastructure

### 2026-06-30: Portugal braces for deadly heat wave as temperatures exceed 40°C

Portugal's health agency warns the ongoing heat wave, with temps over 40 °C and night lows above 20 °C, could raise mortality, urging protection for vulnerable groups and confirming health services are ready.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-activates-hospital-heatwave-contingency-as-temperatures-rise-to-44-c

### 2026-06-29: Portugal responds to forest fires in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Coruche

Portugal faced two forest fires: an arson suspect was charged in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, while a separate blaze in Coruche required 75 personnel and six aerial units.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-responds-to-forest-fires-in-figueira-de-castelo-rodrigo-and-coruche

### 2026-06-28: Freixo de Espada à Cinta wildfire sees 150 firefighters and aerial support

Over 150 firefighters, 45 vehicles and eight aerial units battle a wildfire in Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Portugal; no homes are at risk and the flames are starting to recede.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/freixo-de-espada-cinta-wildfire-sees-150-firefighters-and-aerial-support

### 2026-06-24: Portugal detains arson suspect after Bragança fire as Loulé wildfire kept under control

Portugal detains a Bragança arson suspect while civil protection maintains a large response to a Loulé wildfire, with few injuries and limited damage.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-detains-arson-suspect-after-bragana-fire-as-loul-wildfire-kept-under-control

### 2026-06-23: Portugal emergency responders injured in separate water‑treatment accident and wildfire

In Portugal, a water‑treatment worker suffered mild chlorine poisoning while four firefighters were lightly injured in a Loulé wildfire; both incidents required hospital treatment.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-emergency-responders-injured-in-separate-watertreatment-accident-and-wildfire

### 2026-06-23: Portugal's Defense Minister Nuno Melo Announces New Military Assets for Forest Fire Combat

Portugal’s defence minister Nuno Melo detailed new military resources—including drones, Black Hawk helicopters, and future C‑130 fire‑fighting aircraft—to bolster forest‑fire response, while an analysis undersc

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-defense-minister-nuno-melo-announces-new-military-assets-for-forest-fire-combat

### 2026-06-23: Portugal faces maximum wildfire risk in 50 districts as Loulé blaze engages hundreds of responders

IPMA warns maximum wildfire danger for 50 Portuguese districts; a fast‑moving fire near Loulé burns on two fronts, with 300+ responders, road closures and minor injuries.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/loul-portugal-wildfire-forces-road-closure-and-injures-firefighters

### 2026-06-23: Loulé wildfire forces EN2 closure, hindering firefighting response

A wildfire near Besteiros in Loulé mobilised over 150 firefighters, nine aerial units and 46 vehicles, prompting the EN2 road closure and highlighting calls for urgent repairs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/loul-wildfire-forces-en2-closure-hindering-firefighting-response

### 2026-06-18: Portugal GNR ramps up fire patrols as heatwave raises wildfire risk

GNR ramps up patrols, video surveillance and drones across Portugal as heatwave heightens wildfire risk; Braga bans flame balloons during São João.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portuguese-guard-expands-fire-patrols-as-heat-wave-threatens-forests

### 2026-06-15: Albufeira and Vila Viçosa invest over €1.2 million in new fire‑fighting equipment

Albufeira will buy four fire‑fighting vehicles for €912,660 with EU funds, while Vila Viçosa secured €368,244 (85 % EU‑co‑funded) for a tactical tank and inflatable civil‑protection tent.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-boosts-firefighter-resources-after-house-fire-in-mondim-de-basto

### 2026-06-13: Vila Viçosa secures €368,000 EU‑funded boost for civil protection

Vila Viçosa will receive €368,244 – €298,732 from EU funds – to buy a tactical forest vehicle and a support module for its civil‑protection services, boosting emergency readiness.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vila-viosa-secures-368000-eufunded-boost-for-civil-protection

### 2026-06-13: Aljustrel wildfire in Portugal 80% contained, roads reopened

A wildfire near Aljustrel, Portugal was 80 % contained on 13 June; over 100 responders fought the blaze, two were lightly injured, and roads were reopened by evening.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aljustrel-wildfire-largely-contained-roads-reopened

### 2026-06-10: Portugal combats wildfires in Odemira and Terras de Bouro

Portugal’s civil protection deployed over 200 firefighters, dozens of vehicles, aircraft and helicopters to tackle wildfires near Odemira on June 10 and Terras de Bouro on June 11, with no casualties reported.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-combats-wildfires-in-odemira-and-terras-de-bouro

### 2026-06-10: Portugal raises fire readiness as heat wave sparks multiple wildfires

Portugal escalates fire readiness amid a heat wave, deploying over 260 firefighters and dozens of aerial assets to battle multiple Alentejo wildfires.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-raises-fire-readiness-as-heat-wave-sparks-multiple-wildfires

### 2026-06-09: Coimbra council approves €1.1 million purchase of seven civil‑protection vehicles

Coimbra council approved a €1.08 million purchase of seven new civil‑protection vehicles to modernise its fire‑fighting fleet.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coimbra-council-approves-11-million-purchase-of-seven-civilprotection-vehicles

### 2026-06-05: Portugal's rural fire response hampered by logistics gaps and poor agency coordination

Portuguese experts say rural fire fighting is weakened by missing logistics and poor coordination among agencies, urging better support and unified procedures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-rural-fire-response-hampered-by-logistics-gaps-and-poor-agency-coordination

### 2026-05-29: Portugal reinforces rural fire‑fighting with helicopter and extra crews

Portugal’s Alentejo region reinforces its rural fire‑fighting device, adding a helicopter in Ourique and deploying over 200 staff and 49 vehicles from June through September to combat summer forest fires.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-reinforces-rural-firefighting-with-helicopter-and-extra-crews

### 2026-05-25: Coimbra region boosts fire‑fighting resources for peak summer fire season

Coimbra region mobilises 775 staff, 178 vehicles, helicopters, drones and new equipment to tackle the summer’s peak fire season and urges public caution.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coimbra-region-boosts-firefighting-resources-for-peak-summer-fire-season

### 2026-05-22: Coimbra region upgrades fire‑fighting assets for summer

Coimbra region will deploy 775 staff, 178 vehicles and aerial assets from July to September in a strengthened rural fire‑fighting plan, adding drones, Starlink communications and extra tracking machines.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coimbra-region-upgrades-firefighting-assets-for-summer

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Cite as: Heatwave wildfires continue across southern France. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/coimbra-region-firefighting-boost