Overview
- The fire that broke out on July 29 burned roughly 100–130 hectares near Brignoles and forced several hundred residents to evacuate before crews declared it contained overnight.
- Local and regional services deployed large resources including about 250–270 firefighters, dozens of vehicles and aerial water-dropping aircraft to control the flames and secure the perimeter.
- A small number of firefighters were injured while crews moved from full suppression to treating the fire’s edges to protect nearby neighborhoods.
- George and Amal Clooney evacuated their Brignoles home, sent a letter to Mayor Didier Brémond pledging solidarity and help to rebuild, and said they intend to remain part of the local community.
- Authorities have opened an investigation into the blaze’s origin and the mayor has voiced suspicion of human involvement, a concern sharpened by other July fires in the Var that have strained the local landscape and emergency services.