Forest fire in Brittany burns over 200 hectares, 96 evacuated near Saint-Just

Fire breaks out near Saint-Just

A forest fire declared on Wednesday 12 August 2026 in the early afternoon on the commune of Saint-Just, about 50 km south of Rennes in the Ille-et-Vilaine department of Brittany, burned more than 200 hectares of woods, heathland and fields. The fire spread rapidly, aided by drought and fanned by shifting winds that repeatedly changed direction and complicated the work of firefighters. The blaze moved from a copse west of the commune into adjacent fields and the wider wooded zone. The prefecture of Ille-et-Vilaine prohibited access to the fire zone for the duration of treatment and securing of the area.

Evacuations and emergency response

96 residents from six hamlets were evacuated in the evening of 12 August and accommodated in a sports complex in Pipriac, a few kilometres from Saint-Just. Some spent the night there. As of mid-afternoon on 13 August, residents had still not been able to return to their homes, and no return was planned "for the moment." No buildings were damaged. Bettona Sahm, owner of the Cojoux equestrian centre surrounded by flames, evacuated her 22 horses in an emergency operation.

“At first, it was really localised. After an hour or two, the flames were arriving below. And frankly, it was just below the centre, we were sure we were going to go through it. There was a big moment of stress, but then adrenaline takes over to manage to save all the horses.”

One evacuated woman described having barely enough time to gather belongings before being told to leave immediately as black smoke closed in.

Firefighting mobilisation

Firefighter deployment peaked at more than 200 personnel overnight on 12-13 August, supported by over 70 vehicles, a Dash water-bomber aircraft and a water-bombing helicopter. By 10:00 on Thursday 13 August, 131 firefighters and 34 vehicles remained engaged, according to the prefecture, though another source cited 147 firefighters still active on Thursday morning. Three firefighters were slightly injured. Farmers contributed water tankers and agricultural equipment to the operation. The prefecture asked residents to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate under the best conditions.

Fire brought under control

Overnight conditions improved, with calm winds and favourable humidity levels. The prefecture announced on Thursday morning that the fire "no longer progresses at this stage" and that the situation was calm. The fire was considered under control at 9:30 on 13 August, though firefighters remained mobilised to prevent flare-ups. Several fire resurgences were under surveillance by emergency services.

The mayor of Saint-Just, identified as Nicolas Debay in one source and Nicolas Debray in another, said the fire appeared to have started from a power line.

“Presumably, the fire started from a power line on which a tree fell. And the line crossed through a copse.”

He added that water-bomber aircraft reinforcements that had already made drops on Wednesday were expected again on Thursday morning.