Historic Negative Record: Nearly 98,000 Hectares in France Already Lost to the Flames

France is experiencing a 2026 wildfire season that is already exceeding all previous dimensions. Since the beginning of the year, fires have destroyed nearly 98,000 hectares of forest, scrubland and other vegetation areas. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez spoke of a historic record - and the actual peak of the fire season is still ahead. The figures underline how dramatically the situation has developed and the challenges facing the country in the coming weeks. The burned area corresponds to around 980 square kilometres. By comparison, it exceeds the size of Berlin's ...