Massive Forest Fire Ravages Southern France: A Sober Reminder of the Dangers of Drought

On Tuesday, the southern region of France suffered its first major forest fire of the year in the department of Var. The devastating blaze destroyed 600 hectares of land, leaving no casualties in its wake. By 8 p.m., the fire had spread over an area equivalent to the size of Gibraltar as it slowly moved along the ridges.

The fire started in Vidauban around 3 p.m., quickly spreading due to strong winds. Over two hundred firefighters, three fire-fighting aircraft, and a helicopter were deployed to combat the blaze. Additionally, firefighters from neighboring departments were called in for assistance. In order to prevent further damage, four villages were evacuated and two major roads were closed as a precautionary measure.

The dry conditions that plagued the region in April and May, following a wet March, led to concerns about soil dehydration as summer weather approached. These concerns were exacerbated by a lack of rainfall in August 2021 when a fire near Saint-Tropez destroyed 7,000 hectares of land and resulted in two fatalities and the evacuation of ten thousand individuals.