Nuñez sees easing in wildfires but warns of new fire outbreaks

Paris – 04.08.2026: The situation regarding forest and vegetation fires in France has improved, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Developments are moving in the right direction, the minister said on Tuesday. Nevertheless, emergency services must remain extremely vigilant. Especially in areas already affected, wind, drought and high temperatures could rekindle contained fires.

Since the start of the current fire season, around 14,000 fires have been recorded nationwide, according to Nuñez. The figure includes minor vegetation fires as well as major blazes requiring extensive firefighting and evacuation operations. Firefighters, civil protection, police and municipal crisis services therefore face heavy pressure during the summer months.

The interior minister also reported 402 arrests in connection with fire outbreaks, including 156 minors. The information does not indicate how many cases involve investigations into intentional arson, negligence or other offenses. Prosecutors and courts determine criminal responsibility based on the circumstances of each individual case.

For years, France has combined firefighting efforts with a comprehensive prevention and security strategy. The Interior Ministry opened this year’s season on June 4 at the civil protection aviation base in Nîmes-Garons. Aircraft, ground units and crisis command centers are coordinated from there. Together with the European Union, France is also financing two Canadair firefighting aircraft; total costs were put at 83 million euros.

According to the Interior Ministry, recent operational areas included the departments of Gironde and Landes. Major fires were reported there at the end of July. In the Landes department, 30,000 people had to leave their places of stay temporarily. In such situations, authorities order early evacuations, secure vulnerable transport routes and seek to protect towns before fire fronts approach more densely populated areas.

The reported easing therefore does not yet mean a return to normal operations. Even a fire considered under control can regain intensity when weather conditions change, especially along hard-to-reach edges of large burned areas. Mop-up operations, monitoring for smoldering hotspots and the rapid deployment of firefighting forces remain priorities for incident commanders.

The arrests also bring enforcement of protective regulations into focus. While civil protection relies on prevention, technical resources and rapid evacuations, police and the justice system investigate possible perpetrators. The 402 arrests cited by Nuñez demonstrate the scale of this investigative work, but do not in themselves allow conclusions to be drawn about the number of deliberately set fires.