Gironde Megafire Contained, Var Fire Reignites

Overview

• Authorities declared the Gironde megafire contained on Friday after nine days of fighting, and about 90% of roughly 220,000 evacuees have been allowed to return while crews continue to hold lines because the blaze is not yet fixed.
• The Gros Bessillon fire in the Var reignited on Friday and burned about 1,000 hectares in six hours, forcing roughly 2,500 people from villages including Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens.
• France has mobilized roughly 3,300 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, 1,250 police and gendarmes, and dozens of aircraft including EU-provided planes to fight the blazes, and officials report 267 firefighter injuries to date.
• Preliminary damage tallies list about 240 dwellings destroyed and heavy harm to farms and wildlife, with conservation groups warning that millions of animals have been affected.
• Investigations into fire origins are active across the country with 308 arrests reported, about two-thirds of incidents suspected deliberate and 33 detentions, and officials warn that ongoing drought and strong winds keep the risk high.