Pascal Canfin warns of a growing risk of fires in France

Paris – 13 July 2026: The warning comes during a summer in which the risk of fire has long ceased to concern only the Mediterranean region. Member of the European Parliament Pascal Canfin warned against collective indifference to persistent heat and dry vegetation. His remarks come as firefighters and prefectures are under particular pressure in many regions of France.

The Ministry of the Environment had already called on its services to exercise heightened vigilance across the country on 6 July. Heatwaves and droughts could recur as a result of climate change, it said. Protecting water reserves, air quality, and preventing forest and vegetation fires are receiving particular attention. Even regions that have so far been less frequently affected are now considered vulnerable.

Recent decisions by prefectures show how seriously the situation is being taken. In the Rhône department, fireworks, pyrotechnic displays and sky lanterns are banned until 8 a.m. on 15 July. Authorities justify the measure by citing a high risk of forest fires. In neighboring Vaucluse, extensive restrictions on fireworks and pyrotechnic items also apply around the national holiday.

In Ardèche, authorities have recorded a notable increase in vegetation fires since the beginning of summer. Wind, high temperatures and parched soils can turn small outbreaks of fire into difficult-to-control incidents in a short time. At the end of June, the prefect therefore urged the public to avoid any behavior likely to cause sparks or a fire.

These warnings concern a country that traditionally celebrates its national holiday with outdoor events, barbecue evenings and fireworks. These days require particular vigilance from emergency services. For residents of at-risk regions, this means above all: follow local instructions, keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles, and immediately report any smoke to emergency numbers 18 or 112.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, nine out of ten forest and vegetation fires are linked to human activities. This does not mean that every fire is deliberate. Discarded cigarettes, work that produces sparks, poorly secured barbecues or vehicles parked on dry grass may be enough. The causes of each fire are examined by the relevant investigative services and response teams.

Canfin’s alert is therefore above all a political call for awareness, but it describes a concrete situation on the ground: France is trying to get through an exceptionally dry and hot period without many small acts of carelessness turning into major disasters. Whether the protective measures will be sufficient will be decided in the coming days in fields, at forest edges and in the country’s emergency coordination centers.