Overview
- The blaze that began during vegetation‑clearance near an electrical line on July 22 grew to about 42,000 hectares and forced peak preventive evacuations of roughly 220,000 people.
- By Thursday the préfecture reported the main perimeter stable after a relatively calm night and higher humidity, enabling phased returns and the reopening of the A63 motorway.
- Police made two arrests in Gironde for suspected arson and the interior minister announced 275 recent interpellations nationwide linked to fire starts.
- More than 3,300 firefighters, dozens of aircraft, military units and heavy equipment remain engaged as crews use firebreaks, controlled burns and extensive watering to treat hot spots and lisières.
- Officials warn the blaze will smoulder underground for months in 'feu zombie' pockets, prolonging extinction work and underlining calls for year‑round prevention and forest management.