Wildfire in southern France burns 1,700 hectares, forces evacuation of 400 people
The fire started in a field near Pontevès on Tuesday and spread rapidly down the Gros Bessillon mountain, threatening several communes. Nearly 1,000 firefighters and eight water-bombers were deployed.
Rapid spread
The fire ignited around noon on Tuesday in a field in Pontevès, Var department. By 16:15, it had burned 350 hectares and 600 firefighters were on scene, according to an early situation update. By evening, the burned area had grown to 1,700 hectares and the firefighting force had swelled to nearly 1,000. The flames advanced down the Gros Bessillon mountain toward Cotignac, Montfort-sur-Argens and Correns at what officials described as an unexpectedly fast pace.
The fire is coming down the Gros Bessillon mountain at a very high speed, which was not entirely anticipatable given the climatic conditions and the drop in wind.
The prefect warned that the fire was threatening three communes directly, prompting expanded evacuation orders. The fire’s rapid spread occurred despite a drop in wind during the late afternoon, according to authorities.
Evacuations and injuries
Between 300 and 400 residents were evacuated from Pontevès, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens. Earlier in the day, around 200 people had been moved from Pontevès and neighbouring villages, but the number grew as the fire advanced. Tourist sites including the Cascade at Sillans and the Saint-Joseph du Bessillon monastery were cleared. The swimming area of Lake Sainte-Croix was secured to allow Canadair water-scooping operations.
Four firefighters and two residents of Pontevès suffered mild smoke intoxication. A tanker truck was damaged during the operations. Local volunteer Isabelle Scarica, who helped prepare meals for firefighters, described the scene.
It's a big disaster. It has taken on a very large scale, it's affecting other villages, it's quite impressive.
Firefighting deployment
Nearly 1,000 firefighters were on the ground, supported by 200 vehicles, eight Canadair water-bombers, four helicopters and two Dash aircraft. More than 100 water drops were carried out before aerial operations were suspended at nightfall. Fire chief Eric Grohin said the absolute priority for the entire zone was this fire, with 900 to 950 personnel deployed.
- Fire starts in a field in Pontevès.
- 350 hectares burned, 600 firefighters deployed.
- 1,700 hectares burned, nearly 1,000 firefighters on scene, 300-400 people evacuated.
- Aerial operations suspended after more than 100 water drops.
Response coordination
The prefecture sent mobile alerts to residents with assembly point locations. Several departmental roads near the fire were closed for safety. Prefect Babre called on the public to avoid the sector and give priority to emergency services. Reception centres for evacuees were set up in multiple communes.
National fire season
The Var blaze is part of an intense fire season across France. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said nearly 40,000 hectares have burned since the start of 2026, far exceeding the total for all of last year. Repeated heatwaves and severe drought have caused an earlier and more destructive fire season, with daily fire starts reported nationwide.
