Montfort-sur-Argens Returns to Normal After Wildfire Evacuation

Montfort-sur-Argens – 01/08/2026: Within a few hours, the flames had advanced to the outskirts of Montfort-sur-Argens. Looking back, the mayor of the municipality in the Var department described it as a particularly distressing night. As emergency commanders could not rule out the fire spreading further towards residential areas, residents had to leave their homes. The evacuation has now been lifted, but the consequences of the major wildfire continue to affect the region.

The fire at Gros Bessillon broke out near Ponteves on 21 July and quickly spread across several municipalities. According to the Var prefecture, Correns, Cotignac, Chateauvert, Barjols and Montfort-sur-Argens were among the areas affected by evacuations or other protective measures. Dry vegetation and wind aided the spread, while fire hotspots that had already been contained could flare up again.

During one such phase, the fire covered around 1,000 hectares in approximately six hours. The prefecture later put the total area affected by the major fire at up to 4,500 hectares. This figure describes the operational area and should not be equated with the area where vegetation was completely destroyed. A final assessment of the damage is not yet available.

According to the prefecture, around 1,000 firefighters and 270 vehicles were deployed to secure the edges of the fire zone and extinguish hotspots. Teams were particularly engaged in fighting flare-ups in the areas near Correns and Barjols. Strong Mistral winds at times hampered firefighting operations and increased the risk of sparks igniting further fires.

The evacuation of Montfort-sur-Argens was lifted on the evening of 24 July in coordination with the prefecture and emergency services. The affected residents were only allowed to return to their apartments and homes after the safety zone had been cleared. Until then, the authorities had explicitly warned against entering closed roads and properties without authorization.

The follow-up work extends beyond the immediate firefighting response. On 28 July, state authorities, the fire and rescue service SDIS 83, and representatives of the affected municipalities discussed recording the damage and possible assistance. For insurance claims, an exceptional reporting deadline of 31 August applies.

Even after residents returned, emergency crews had to monitor extensive perimeter areas. Heat stored in charred undergrowth and in the soil can sustain hotspots for a prolonged period, while wind increases the risk of another flare-up. Montfort-sur-Argens was therefore cleared only after the prefecture and emergency services had re-examined the safety zone.