Fires: Risk of resurgence in the Pyrénées-Orientales? All of France on alert
The essentials:
- Red wildfire alert was triggered in 7 departments of southern France this Wednesday, July 8, by Météo-France: Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, Hérault, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, and Drôme. 47 other departments are on orange alert.
- The largest ongoing fire is the one in the Pyrénées-Orientales, where 4,900 hectares have been burned. The fire has not progressed since July 7, but is not yet contained and risks gaining ground with the heatwave, the return of wind, and very low humidity, the prefecture warns. About 800 firefighters remain mobilized, and 26 municipalities, or 10,500 people, have been evacuated.
- A 22-year-old volunteer firefighter died while intervening on a fire in Savoie. The fire, which started on June 24 after a storm and regained intensity on Sunday, is still ongoing this Wednesday, July 8. It started in a difficult-to-access area complicating firefighter intervention.
- Since the start of the 2026 season, nearly 14,500 hectares have already burned, almost three times more than at the same date last year, the government said. The toll now includes one victim with the death of the firefighter, 11 minor injuries, and about fifty damaged buildings.
Live updates
12:15 - The Die fire continues to progress, but more slowly
In Drôme, the fire that started last Thursday in the town of Die "continued its progression during the night, albeit at a slower pace," the prefecture said on Wednesday. The fire has now burned 2,200 hectares in the Diois region. "More than 475 firefighters and military personnel" are still mobilized, supported by extra-departmental reinforcements including "the Marseille fire battalion, the 7th Parachute Engineer Regiment, as well as firefighters from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes defense zone, the East, and Vaucluse," the statement on X said. The fire started in a mountainous, fortunately uninhabited, but very difficult-to-access area. Bulldozers had to be brought in to create access paths for firefighters, the prefecture said. The ground operation is also reinforced by "the action of a water bomber helicopter."
11:58 - A "contained" fire resumed progression in Hérault
The fire in Carlencas-et-Levas, in Hérault, had been "contained" since Sunday after burning 275 hectares. But the fire resumed its progression due to a "change in wind," said the director of the Hérault SDIS, General Eric Florès, to AFP. "The situation is complicated due to shifting winds that are expected to strengthen further on Wednesday afternoon," he added.
11:49 - Firefighter intervention on the Savoie fire complicated "by the terrain configuration"
The fire that started in the town of Planay, Savoie, on June 24 and regained intensity on Sunday is still ongoing. The prefecture said during the night that the fire's progression was limited to 30 hectares, but it occurred on steep terrain. "The fire is progressing downhill due to the steep slope," explained state services, describing the rescue operation as "tricky": "Ground interventions are hampered by the terrain configuration. Aerial resources would have limited effectiveness," detailed the prefecture.
11:37 - 22-year-old volunteer firefighter dies in Savoie
A young 22-year-old volunteer firefighter died during an intervention on the ongoing fire in Savoie, announced the Interior Minister on X. The firefighter was operating in a high-gradient area when he was "struck by a rock block that came loose." He died on the spot, around 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The prefect of Savoie, Vanina Nicoli, immediately went "to the fire and rescue center in Bozel to show support for all firefighters still engaged on the fire," according to a prefecture statement.
11:30 - The fire is no longer progressing but is "not yet contained" in the Pyrénées-Orientales
The fire in Trévillach, Pyrénées-Orientales, continues but "did not progress last night." However, it "is not yet contained," the Pyrénées-Orientales prefecture said on X. Still, 800 firefighters are mobilized to control the fire that has burned 4,900 hectares in four days. "The situation remains difficult with the return of the tramontane wind" expected on Wednesday, "high temperatures, and very low humidity," added the prefecture. The firefighters' priority is "treating the edges and hot spots, as well as maintaining the lock on the Aspres massif."
Learn more:
For several days, several departments have been on alert for the risk of forest fires. The danger has increased with strong winds, and several fires have started in southern France. This Wednesday, July 8, seven departments in southern France are on red alert due to a "very high" risk of forest fires, and 47 other territories are on orange alert.
Météo-France reports a context of soil drought, combined with high temperatures and low humidity. These conditions greatly increase the risk of fire, especially with the expected rise in winds at the start of the week. In such conditions and as the summer season promises to be particularly risky for forest fires, the government calls on the French to be vigilant, emphasizing that 9 out of 10 fires are human-caused. Avoid barbecues or lighting fires in nature, as well as throwing cigarette butts on the ground. It is also necessary to be careful when performing work that may cause sparks. In the event of a fire, call 112, 18, or 114 for the hearing impaired and get to safety. Departments can also take local measures.
