France declares largest wildfire since 1949 under control as evacuees return, but new blaze erupts in Var

Gironde fire contained

After 10 days, the Saumos fire in Gironde has been brought under control, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on Saturday. The blaze, which consumed 42,000 hectares of cultivated pine forest near Bordeaux, is the largest wildfire in France since 1949. Nuñez said the fire is no longer spreading, though "active zones" persist.

It is under control, it is no longer spreading.

Evacuations and returns

The fire forced the evacuation of 224,000 people, according to authorities. By Saturday evening the prefecture put the number authorised to return at 208,000, after a further 10,000 residents were cleared as Arès, Marcheprime, Saumos and Le Temple, plus the Lubec and La Pointe districts of Audenge, were reopened. Lège-Cap-Ferret and Le Porge remain closed. Prefect Sophie Brocas described 10 days and nights of continuous firefighting efforts.

National toll and reconstruction

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that fires across France are generally under control, but the situation remains evolving. Nuñez put the area burned by vegetation fires across France since the start of 2026 at 119,000 hectares, from 14,320 fire starts; the count stood at about 117,000 earlier in the week. Lecornu announced the appointment of a national coordinator to oversee reconstruction in affected areas.

Generally speaking, the fires are under control in our country today. If conditions changed, we would immediately resume the necessary precautionary measures.

New fire in Var

A reignition of the Gros Bessillon fire broke out on Friday in the southern Var department and burned 1,800 hectares over the course of Saturday, taking the area covered by that fire since it started at Pontevès on 21 July to about 4,500 hectares. Seven further houses were destroyed over the two days. Nuñez said the situation had not worsened overnight, but the area remains at high risk due to expected dry, strong winds. Some 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, supported by six water-bomber aircraft and five helicopters.

Fragile calm

Despite the containment of the Gironde fire, officials caution that the calm is fragile. Active zones remain, and the Var fire underscores the ongoing danger. Lecornu emphasized that precautionary measures would be reinstated immediately if conditions deteriorate.