France arrests 32 people suspected of starting wildfires as more than 25,000 hectares burn since January

Arrests and government warnings

On Saturday, July 11, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that 32 people suspected of starting wildfires had been arrested in 22 departments since the start of summer. "These unacceptable behaviors are now a matter for the courts," he wrote on X, adding that the government would pursue its "determined action" and not let anything go.

These unacceptable behaviors that generate disastrous consequences and mobilize our firefighters at the peril of their lives are now a matter for the courts.

President Emmanuel Macron also posted on X, stating that nine out of ten fires are caused by human activity and calling on everyone to be responsible.

A second of inattention can threaten families, endanger those who protect us and destroy our landscapes.

The toll on forests

France has already lost more than 25,000 hectares to wildfires since January, according to the director general of civil security, who spoke on July 10. He described the 2026 season as being of "exceptional intensity." The number of fire starts has exceeded 8,000. The burned area is double what was measured at the same date last year and surpasses 2022. The worst-hit regions include Pyrénées-Orientales (4,900 hectares), Drôme (4,000 hectares) and Indre (900 hectares).

Local investigations

Among those detained was a man in his fifties seen behaving suspiciously near a fire outbreak in Perpignan before fleeing. He was arrested and placed in police custody on Thursday. In Hérault, two men aged 21 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of starting several fires. In Ain, two minors aged 15 and 16 were indicted on July 2 for destroying property by dangerous means after a fire ravaged a large part of the Château de Divonne-les-Bains on June 28. A third adolescent, aged 16, was charged for failing to attempt to extinguish the blaze. All were placed under judicial supervision.

Fire risk at record levels

Weather service Météo-France placed 61 départements on an orange alert for "high" wildfire risk on July 11. On Sunday, 63 départements will be under orange alert while Haute-Garonne will be on red alert for "very high" risk. The previous maximum number of départements under orange or red warning before 2026 was 29, recorded in 2025, according to Météo-France.