Var: Prosecutor examines possible arson after forest fire reignites

Draguignan – 04.08.2026: Following the renewed outbreak of a forest fire in the Var department, the Draguignan prosecutor’s office is examining whether the blaze may have been deliberately set. The fire broke out on Friday, July 31. No specific suspects or reliable evidence of intentional ignition were initially named on Tuesday.

The investigation begins at a time of exceptionally high wildfire risk in southeastern France. As early as July, authorities in the Var classified several fire outbreaks that started almost simultaneously as suspected deliberate acts. The gendarmerie investigated under the supervision of the Draguignan prosecutor’s office. Whether a fire was caused by a technical defect, negligence or an intentional act is crucial to its further criminal assessment.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Tuesday that 402 people had been arrested nationwide in connection with fires since the beginning of summer. The figure includes cases involving different levels of suspicion and does not indicate how many fires were actually set deliberately. An arrest also does not constitute a conviction. The responsible prosecutor’s offices decide on charges based on the respective investigation files.

The numerous fires are placing a strain on security forces and fire services, which must also deal with difficult operational conditions caused by the weather. At the end of July, the Interior Ministry reported 116,085 hectares burned in France since the start of the year. The state therefore increased air support, pre-positioned emergency personnel in areas at risk and relied on cooperation with European partners under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

In the Var, the prefecture and municipalities had temporarily restricted access to forest areas in recent weeks. Public events near forests were banned, as were the lighting of fires and the use of equipment with open flames. Dried-out vegetation, high temperatures and wind can cause small ignition fires to develop within a short time into blazes that are difficult to control.

The investigation of possible arson is complex because firefighting water, wind and heat can alter the fire scene. Investigators therefore search for traces at the presumed point of origin, question witnesses and examine technical causes. So far, no public statement has been issued regarding the reignited fire that would substantiate the suspicion beyond the stage of a serious review.

On July 23, the Var prefecture stated that nine out of ten vegetation fires were caused by humans; around one in two resulted from carelessness. Authorities therefore rely not only on firefighting, but also on access restrictions, prevention and the criminal prosecution of possible perpetrators.