About 98,000 hectares of land in France have been consumed by wildfires in 2026, marking a historic record for the country. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez revealed that numerous fires are still uncontrolled, particularly in Gironde, Landes, and Var. The ongoing crisis has forced significant evacuations in the southwest, with 57,000 people evacuated overnight in Gironde alone, totaling 167,000 evacuees in the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism in response to the escalating wildfires. Macron emphasized the critical situation, especially in Gironde, where the fires are rapidly spreading. Assistance is on the way, with France expecting aerial firefighting support from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that over 42,000 hectares have burned in France since the start of the year, surpassing the total burnt area in 2025. The Fontainebleau Forest near Paris was severely affected, with nearly 15,000 hectares scorched in the first half of July alone. Two wildfires in the forest ravaged about 2,000 hectares, roughly 10% of its total expanse.
Reports from French authorities state that the country is combatting 32 active wildfires, with over 50,000 hectares charred nationwide this year. The situation remains critical, with fires continuing to pose a significant threat across various regions in France.
