France’s popular wildfire app comes from a small association in the Pyrenees

Ille-sur-Têt – 28/07/2026: When smoke rises over a hillside or a wildfire is reported nearby, many people first turn to their smartphones for information. According to Franceinfo, the free “Feux de Forêt” app is currently among the most frequently downloaded apps in France. Around 700,000 people actively use the service, which brings together information on fires and hazardous situations on a map.

The app is not run by a government body, but by the FEUX DE FORÊT association, based in Ille-sur-Têt in the eastern Pyrenees. Its terms of use name Anthony Montardy as the person responsible for publication. The association sees its service as a citizen platform for warning, information and prevention concerning vegetation fires. Users can access reports from their area, submit their own observations and receive notifications.

Strong demand comes at a time when forest and vegetation fires are affecting numerous regions of France. According to Franceinfo, the app links weather data, eyewitness accounts and satellite imagery. Incoming reports are reviewed, including with support from firefighters. According to the association, fewer than ten volunteers were most recently working in shifts on more than 20,000 data records and reports.

The map can help provide a quicker overview of a hazardous situation. However, it does not replace incident command. The operator explicitly points out that “Feux de Forêt” is neither an official warning system nor a tool for coordinating emergency services. Anyone who spots a fire or is in immediate danger should call emergency number 18 or 112 and provide the location as precisely as possible.

This distinction is essential because unverified information in a tense situation can put residents, travelers and emergency responders at risk. The moderation policy therefore provides for information to be checked for reliability. Operational details that could hamper ongoing responses are not to be published. Photos and location data from the public also require careful handling.

In its 2026 prevention campaign, the Interior Ministry states that around nine out of ten forest and vegetation fires are linked to human activity. Authorities are urging caution in the countryside, compliance with local restrictions and swift alerts. At the same time, an A400M equipped with a fire-retardant dropping system is intended to supplement national aerial support.

The app’s reach points to a growing need for quickly accessible, locally precise information. In an emergency, however, notices issued by prefectures, fire services and other competent authorities remain decisive. The association from Ille-sur-Têt explicitly places its platform below these official channels.