New Vegetation Fires in the Var: Major Response Near Brignoles and Vidauban

Brignoles – 29 July 2026: New vegetation fires broke out on Wednesday near Brignoles and Vidauban in the southern French department of Var. Initial reports indicated that the fire near Brignoles affected around five hectares. Firefighters and civil protection deployed a large contingent of ground crews, while firefighting aircraft and helicopters were also brought in. Their aim was to contain the fire outbreaks as quickly as possible and prevent the flames from spreading to further areas.

The new fires broke out just as the situation at another incident site had begun to ease. According to the authorities, the major fire that had been raging since 21 July in the Gros Bessillon massif near Ponteves had been brought under control. However, the Var prefecture continued to organize assistance and coordination measures for the affected municipalities. Despite the stabilization of this fire, the strain on emergency services in the department remained high.

By Wednesday evening, no reliable information was yet available on the area affected by the fire near Vidauban, possible damage or evacuations. The incident command initially focused on limiting its spread. In forest and vegetation fires, dry vegetation, heat and wind can rapidly worsen the situation. The simultaneous deployment of ground and air units is intended to make it possible to fight the flames from several directions and reach difficult-to-access areas.

The five hectares reported for Brignoles should also be understood as a preliminary operational assessment. The figure refers to the area over which the fire had spread according to initial reports and does not necessarily correspond to the burn area determined later. A final assessment is generally only possible after firefighting operations have ended and the affected area has been surveyed. There was initially no official statement on the cause of the fire.

The Ponteves fire had tied up emergency services in central Var for several days. Support from the prefecture and coordination of operations extended across several municipalities, including Ponteves, Cotignac, Montfort-sur-Argens, Correns, Chateauvert and Barjols. The new fire outbreaks near Brignoles and Vidauban now require personnel, vehicles and firefighting equipment to be distributed at short notice among several incident sites.

The authorities urged residents and travelers to follow instructions from firefighters, police and the prefecture. Access routes to the fire areas must remain clear so that fire engines and emergency services can pass without obstruction. By early evening on 29 July, no injuries, damaged buildings, road closures or precautionary evacuations in connection with the fires near Brignoles and Vidauban had been officially confirmed.