Southern France Battling Devastating Forest Fires as Efforts Intensify
Southern France faces severe forest fires impacting multiple regions as firefighting efforts escalate.
Key Points
- • Over 3,600 hectares affected by multiple forest fires in southern France.
- • More than 1,000 firefighters are combating a serious blaze in Aude, with ongoing efforts to contain it.
- • In Marseille, fires caused by an accidental vehicle incident have led to 97 reported injuries.
- • Investigations are underway regarding the cause of the Aude fire, linked to vineyard premises.
As of July 9, 2025, multiple forest fires are raging across southern France, particularly impacting the Mediterranean departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard, Aude, and Hérault. The fires have already ravaged nearly 3,600 hectares of land, leading to significant property damage but fortunately no fatalities recorded thus far.
In the Aude department, over 1,000 firefighters are actively battling a fire that has consumed 2,000 hectares and is currently not under control. Prefect Christian Pouget indicated there are no immediate threats to homes despite the fire’s relentless spread, which has been fueled by dry vegetation and strong winds reaching up to 90 km/h. An investigation has been initiated into the fire’s cause, focusing on 'involuntary destruction' due to its origin at a vineyard. Reports indicate that five firefighters and five civilians, including a child, have sustained minor injuries, and damages include the loss of three horses and considerable destruction of buildings.
In Marseille, a separate fire has been reported fixed after affecting more than 730 hectares. This blaze originated from an accidental vehicle fire on the A55 highway. Consequently, authorities have reported a total of 97 minor injuries related to this incident, with 24 individuals needing hospitalization. Emergency services conducted evacuations, including 71 residents from a local nursing home, and temporarily closed major transport routes, including the A9 highway and Marseille airport, which have since reopened.
The Gard department has seen a fire contained after burning 430 hectares, with no reported injuries or damage to infrastructure. Likewise, firefighters successfully managed to control a fire in Hérault that scorched 400 hectares, with no casualties reported. Prefect of Hérault noted that several fires were linked to discarded cigarette butts along the A9 highway, underlining the importance of fire safety adherence.
As firefighting efforts continue and vigilance remains high, the situation throughout southern France is being closely monitored as authorities strive to regain control over these fires and mitigate further damage across the affected regions.