Major Wildfire Rekindling in Var: 2,500 People Forced to Leave Their Homes

Var – 31 July 2026: A wildfire in the Var department flared up again significantly on Friday. The prefect ordered the evacuation of around 2,500 people. According to Franceinfo, the fire spread again at around 1:30 p.m. and engulfed approximately 1,000 hectares of vegetation within six hours. The order affects residents and holidaymakers in the threatened areas.

An evacuation is intended to remove people from areas that may be threatened by flames, smoke, flying sparks or blocked transport routes. Those affected should follow official instructions, keep access routes clear for emergency services and not return independently to evacuated zones. Incident command must be able to concentrate its resources on firefighting and protecting threatened buildings.

The renewed spread shows that a fire can remain dangerous even after it has been temporarily contained. In difficult-to-access terrain, smouldering hotspots can persist and reignite under unfavourable conditions. Wind can carry burning particles over greater distances, triggering new fire outbreaks. The situation can therefore change within a short period of time.

Authorities in Var had already warned in recent days against people returning to areas that remained closed or evacuated. Such violations increase personal risk and can complicate the work of firefighters and the gendarmerie. The priority is to secure residential areas, roads and escape routes, as well as to contain the flames along the edges of the fire zone.

For the 2,500 people affected, the order means going to accommodation or assembly points organised by municipalities and the prefecture. Families should take identity documents, medication, water and important personal belongings with them, provided this can be done without delay. Anyone needing assistance to leave the area should contact local emergency services or municipal authorities.

The latest development in the fire affects a region where firefighters have been deployed for days due to large-scale vegetation fires. The Var prefecture recently documented continuing smouldering hotspots and renewed flare-ups in several sectors of the department. The current evacuation was ordered because safety in the areas now affected could not be sufficiently guaranteed.

No cause for the renewed flare-up was initially reported. There was also no confirmed information on possible damage to homes or the number of injured people on Friday evening. Emergency crews are continuing their work while the prefecture informs the public about the protective and evacuation measures in force.