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Forest fire

Alert over fire risk in French forests as most blazes caused by people

‘Nine in 10 fires come from human carelessness,’ say authorities in the wake of a wildfire that destroyed 600 hectares in the south of France

Why ground in south-west France is still burning from 2022 forest fire

Experts are worried about the knock on effect of these smaller fires

Houses destroyed as forest fire rages at south of France tourist spot

More than 32 hectares have already been destroyed and the fire is not yet under control

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Highest forest fire warning for parts of southern France

It comes amid a forecast of warm temperatures and high winds for the region

500 people evacuated as forest fire breaks out in south of France

The public is banned from entering several forest areas as red alerts continue for blazes

Two-in-five young people admit to throwing litter on French motorways

A new campaign is seeking to educate people and reduce the problem

Major road and rail delays as wildfires are sparked in southern France

A blaze at Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice, saw rail services suspended between Cannes and the Italian border

Heatwave-hit south of France set for respite by the weekend

Experts say the ‘heat dome’ keeping temperatures high will soon shift towards Greece

Smoke from huge forest fires in Canada set to reach western France

Brittany is set to be the first area affected. It is unclear how harmful it will be

France wildfires: Does mandatory garden clearing apply to nearby land?

Many parts of France require property owners to clear undergrowth to prevent forest fires from spreading

Wildfires in northern half of France… as storms and floods hit south

More than 200 firefighters continue to tackle a blaze in Vosges, as the clear-up after floods begins in parts of southern France

Warning over heightened risk of forest fires in northern France

Two departments have been told they are at increased risk of wildfires on Monday

Why the French government wants you to clear up your garden

In some areas of France, the clearance of garden undergrowth is mandatory and refusal to comply can lead to a fine

France wildfires: MPs vote to hike fines for not clearing your garden

We recap the rules for cutting back vegetation to prevent wildfires - mandatory for homeowners in some parts of France

French MPs vote to ban smoking in forests when wildfire risk is high

Offenders could face fines of up to €150,000 or a ten-year jail sentence

Reforestation project begins in south of France after summer wildfires

This comes as the government announces plans to plant one billion trees across France by 2032, a measure described as a ‘smokescreen’ by critics

Gironde wildfire update: 1,200 locals evacuated, 3,600 hectares burned

Strong overnight winds worsened the blaze but the 900 or so firefighters on hand have been able to keep property damage to a minimum

Second volunteer firefighter arrested over fires in south of France

The 33-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he admitted starting one of the fires in Hérault this month

Five French departments on heatwave alert as high temperatures return

How hot is it expected to be and for how long?

French wildfires: Airbus tests way to adapt plane into water bomber

Trials show that the A400M military cargo transporter plane can be easily transformed and can drop 20 tonnes of water in just 10 seconds

New wildfire in south of France: 800 hectares burnt, arson suspected

The Hérault fire is not yet under control but it is no longer progressing, say authorities. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated

Access to the Dune du Pilat reopens after Gironde forest fire closure

The popular tourist destination is very close to the blaze in La Teste-de-Buch, which has burnt 7,000 hectares of land

Could a Middle Ages law be reason for wildfire in southwest France?

Thousands of hectares of forest in Teste-de-Buch were destroyed in a huge blaze that has only just been contained

Wildfires to become daily reality in France by 2023, warns fire chief

The prediction comes as tens of thousands of hectares continue to burn across the country, prompting calls for more government funding and prevention measures

Brittany wildfire started by local burning garden waste against rules

The fire threatened the historic Forêt de Paimpont but has been stopped. A larger Brittany wildfire - in the Monts d’Arrée mountains - is now also under control

France wildfires rage on: 20,000 hectares burnt, one arrest made

Investigators believe that the fire in Landiras may have been started deliberately. In all, 37,000 people and 1,000 zoo animals have been evacuated

Wildfires in south of France: 10,000 hectares burned and counting

Fires have broken out across the country this weekend, with two blazes continuing to spread in Gironde. More than 14,000 people have been evacuated

French communes cancel July 14 firework displays due to wildfire risk

Several places in Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard are affected by cancellations as a heatwave hits the southwest of the country

Thousands evacuated as wildfires rage in southwestern France

More than 6,500 people have been moved away from campsites and villages and several roads are closed

France prepares for 10-day heatwave, wildfire risk increases

Thirteen departments are under a yellow canicule vigilance warning

French mayor bans smoking in village and cars due to forest fire risk

The decree aims to raise people’s awareness, especially as the village is surrounded by dry pine forest

Forest fire risk in France: ‘Difficult’ summer predicted ahead

A fire colonel who helped put out an 80-hectare fire at the weekend said that the indicators of drought and risk of forest fires ‘do not look good’

Wildfire risk: Several forests in southeast France closed to public

The ban on entering the areas in the Var is set to last until at least tomorrow (June 9) as drought conditions and strong wind increase fire risk

I live near site of Var wildfire: How can I donate to help victims?

Several Var mairies are accepting donations of money, food and clothes for people affected by last week’s fire

Passing drivers stop man as he tries to start a new fire in Var forest

Witnesses used bottles of water and floor mats to quickly extinguish the blaze, which the man started using a burning log

Rare wild tortoises treated for burns in wake of south of France fire

A local rescue centre estimates that 60% of the tortoises found so far had survived the flames, although the death toll may rise as the rescue operation continues

Bardot: Ban September hunting season in Var area hit by wildfire

The former actress and animal rights activist has written to the local prefect saying ‘nature needs to breathe’

Investigation into cause of Var wildfire begins as blaze slows

A bed and breakfast owner and one of his guests are believed to have died in the fire, which has travelled over 7,000 hectares. Its origin is being investigated with the help of aerial and CCTV images

New wildfires hit south of France, one death reported in Var blaze

Strong winds are making it difficult to quell two fires in Aude, while in Vaucluse 130 people have been evacuated and firefighting is affecting the drinking water supply; a death and a missing person are reported in the Var

Over 1,000 firefighters still tackling forest fire behind St Tropez

More than 7,000 people have been evacuated as the fire spread over 7,000 hectares of land. The local fire service chief says it is likely to be of human origin as it started near a motorway rest area

Thousands evacuated as fire rages over 5,000 hectares near St Tropez

Holidaymakers were removed from multiple campsites overnight. 700-750 firefighters are still working to control the blaze

Huge fire in south France destroys 250 hectares but now under control

Firefighters are still in place and continue to keep close watch on the flames which required 170 people to be evacuated yesterday. The cause of the incident is not yet known

Forest fires risk means some must clear garden vegetation

This year, forest fire risks are particularly high due to dry ground and vegetation. Here we look at what you need to bear in mind if you live in, or are visiting, vulnerable wooded parts of the country.

Huge forest fires destroy 165 hectares in southwest France

A large area of forest equivalent to around 120 football pitches was burned down in the blaze.

Forest fire warning for Dordogne

The Dordogne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) fire brigade warned today (Monday July 27) that there is a high risk of forest fires in the department due to hot temperatures and dry conditions, and called for people to take care not to cause a fire.

Nine French departments in flames due to forest fires

Several hundreds of hectares across nine departments in France have been destroyed by forest fires this week, causing evacuations in the Pyrénées-Orientales and the Ardèche.

Macron calls Amazon fires ‘crisis’ as Brazil hits back

French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the wildfires in the Amazon as “an international crisis”, but Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has branded the comments as “colonialist”.

France breaks all-time heat records as heatwave peaks

All-time heat records have been broken across France, with a peak of 43.6°C yesterday (Thursday July 25) and Paris recording its hottest ever day.

Water restrictions now in 73 departments in France

Water restrictions are now in place in 73 departments across France, as the drought continues ahead of a new heatwave expected next week.

Severe forest fire alerts across south of France

The south of France is on alert for forest fires today (July 19), with many local forest areas and roads forbidden to access, as the government releases advice on how to prevent wildfires.

Wildfires destroy 350 hectares in southern France

Wildfires have destroyed more than 350 hectares of land in southern France and forced the evacuation of 2,500 holidaymakers from nearby campsites.

Forest fire destroys 60 hectares in Île-de-France

A forest fire has destroyed 60 hectares of land and vegetation in Essonne (Évry, Île-de-France), not helped by the “very dry” conditions, local firefighters have confirmed.

French firefighters tackle biggest fire for 20 years

One of the biggest forest fires in the Lot (Occitanie) in the past 20 years has destroyed over 150 hectares of land in three days, and required the mobilisation of over 200 firefighters.

Firebug jailed after two fires

A firebug has been jailed for 18 months, with 12 suspended, after starting two forest fires in Ardèche and Drôme that destroyed 12 hectares of land and needed 110 pompiers .

French residents face fines over brush

People who live in areas at risk from wildfires face hefty fines if they fail to clear trees and brush from land surrounding their property.

Two more men imprisoned for starting Provence fire

Two men have been charged for starting a fire that ravaged over 2000 m² of forest in Provence in July this year.

Firefighters issue blunt butt message

Firefighters have issued a blunt message following a series of wildfires that, they believe, were started by carelessly thrown away cigarettes.