Wildfire in the Var Does Not Spread Further for Now

Pontevès – 02 August 2026: The wildfire at Gros Bessillon in the Var department did not spread further on Sunday for the time being. According to the prefect, the extent of the fire remained unchanged. Firefighters continue to tackle hotspots and secure the edges of the fire area. This is intended to prevent flames from continuing to spread beneath the dry vegetation or from once again affecting larger areas if winds pick up.

Since the fire broke out on 21 July, nearly 2,000 hectares of vegetation have burned, according to authorities. The fire began in the municipality of Pontevès and spread across the Bessillon ridge. Areas near Pontevès, Cotignac, Correns, Barjols and Montfort-sur-Argens were particularly affected. During the first few days, residents of several districts had to leave their homes. Roads were closed, and the prefecture activated the department’s crisis staff.

The stabilization does not yet mean the all-clear. In large vegetation fires, deeper hotspots, roots and difficult-to-reach peripheral areas can retain heat for a long time. Firefighters are systematically searching these locations, cooling them and monitoring the boundaries of the burned areas. Even small flare-ups can spread rapidly in heat, wind and low humidity.

According to the prefecture, around 1,000 firefighters and 270 vehicles were deployed at times during the operation so far. Additional access routes were created in the difficult terrain so that fire engines could get closer to endangered areas. Particular attention was focused on the zones between Correns and Barjols, where the fire had flared up again.

The fire at Gros Bessillon is already the fourth major blaze to occupy emergency crews in the Var since 19 July. Earlier, a fire between Taradeau and Les Arcs had destroyed woodland and threatened residential areas. The nearly simultaneous operations placed considerable strain on personnel, vehicles and firefighting aircraft. Authorities therefore temporarily restricted access to forest areas and banned open flames in the department.

Local instructions remain in force for the public. The prefecture warns against entering closed paths or operational areas. People and vehicles near the fire boundaries can obstruct the work of emergency services; clear access routes are necessary so that firefighters can intervene immediately in the event of reignition.

A final assessment of the damage is not yet available. It can only be prepared once the endangered peripheral areas have been checked and all identified hotspots have been extinguished. On Sunday, emergency crews therefore remained focused on permanently securing the approximately 2,000-hectare fire area.