Fast-moving wildfire forces hundreds of evacuations in southern France

Lead

A fast-moving wildfire tore through southern France on Tuesday, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes as nearly 1,000 firefighters and water-bombing aircraft battled to contain the blaze. The fire swept through wooded hills in the Var region, burning 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) in just a few hours and prompting the evacuation of nearly 400 people, the area's top official said.

"The fire is moving down Gros Bessillon mountain at a very fast speed, which was not at all anticipated given the climatic conditions and weakening wind," said Simon Barbre, prefect for the region between Marseille and Nice. He said evacuations took place around the villages of Cotignac, Montfort-sur-Argens, and Correns. Many of those moved to safety came from Pontevès, where the fire started, and the nearby village of Sillans-la-Cascade.

More than 2,300 homes were without power, the prefecture said overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. Very dry conditions in the area have created an extreme forest fire risk, according to the French weather service Météo-France.

This is the latest in a string of fires amid three heatwaves since early June. Fuelled by repeated heatwaves and drought, the 2026 wildfire season began earlier than usual, and firefighters have been battling near-daily outbreaks across France in recent weeks.

Coverage Comparison

Both France 24 and RFI reported the blaze, with slightly different figures on the area burned. France 24 reported that the fire burned 1,700 hectares in just a few hours, prompting the evacuation of nearly 400 people. RFI, on the other hand, stated that the fire burned more than 2,500 hectares and forced 400 people to flee. The discrepancy may reflect different reporting times or a later expansion of the fire.

Both outlets quoted officials, including Var prefect Simon Barbre and local fire chiefs. France 24 also quoted Commander William Vogl, a spokesperson for the Var firefighters, who said on RMC radio on Wednesday that "The situation has been very difficult. Some 1,100 firefighters fought all night." This number differs from the 900 to 950 firefighters cited by Var fire chief Eric Grohin, also in France 24's reporting.

Additionally, France 24 covered a separate wildfire in the same region that occurred between Sunday and Monday near Les Arcs-sur-Argens. That fire, reported in a separate article, forced the evacuation of dozens of homes and burned 10 homes, damaging nine others. The fire scorched around 60 hectares in Taradeau before jumping to Les Arcs-sur-Argens, where it burned a further 120 hectares in less than two hours. Around 615 firefighters, backed by reinforcements from four neighbouring departments, five Canadair water bombers, four firefighting helicopters, and two Dash aircraft were deployed, according to Var prefect Simon Babre (noted in the source as "Simon Babre," but earlier spelled "Simon Barbre").

RFI also mentioned that nearly 40,000 hectares have burned in France since the start of the year, and that a major wildfire recently ravaged more than 2,000 hectares of the Fontainebleau Forest, destroying habitats and putting its diversity of plant and animal life under threat.

Key Claims

• A fast-moving wildfire tore through southern France on Tuesday, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.
• The fire swept through wooded hills in the Var region, burning 1,700 hectares in just a few hours.
• Nearly 400 people were evacuated due to the wildfire.
• More than 2,300 homes were without power due to the wildfire.
• Very dry conditions in the area have created an extreme forest fire risk.
• Between 900 and 950 firefighters were deployed on the ground to battle the wildfire.
• Four firefighters and two residents suffered minor smoke inhalation due to the wildfire.
• A fast-moving wildfire in southern France forced the evacuation of dozens of homes on Sunday.
• The fire burned 10 homes and damaged nine others in a nearby area.
• One firefighter suffered minor injuries due to the wildfire.
• The fire scorched around 60 hectares in Taradeau before jumping to the nearby town of Les Arcs-sur-Argens.
• A major wildfire recently ravaged more than 2,000 hectares of the Fontainebleau Forest.
• Nearly 40,000 hectares have burned in France since the start of the year.