Wildfire in the Var flares up again: 2,500 people evacuated

Pontevès – 01.08.2026: The wildfire in the central Var department flared up again on Friday, 31 July. According to Franceinfo, 2,500 people were moved to safety from several municipalities as the flames approached inhabited areas. Extensive ground and aerial resources were reportedly deployed to fight the fire. A current statement from the Var Prefecture or the SDIS 83 fire and rescue service confirming this evacuation figure was initially not available.

The fire at Gros Bessillon near Pontevès had threatened several municipalities since 21 July. According to earlier information from the prefecture, those particularly affected included Pontevès, Cotignac, Correns, Montfort-sur-Argens and Carcès. Several hundred people had already had to leave their homes or accommodation during the initial response phase. By 22 July, around 2,500 hectares of vegetation had burned, according to authorities.

After the fire was temporarily considered under control, emergency crews continued to detect isolated fire hotspots. On 26 July, monitoring focused particularly on areas west of Barjols, at Petit Bessillon near Pontevès and near Correns. The RD560 and RD554 departmental roads were temporarily closed. Residents of evacuated neighbourhoods were initially unable to return without restrictions, according to municipal notices published at the time.

The municipality of Bras also reported isolated new fire outbreaks on 27 July. Firefighters and young farmers reportedly brought them under control quickly. The setback now reported by Franceinfo would therefore represent a renewed escalation after several days of relative calm. The broadcaster reports that the fire regained strength three days after it had been contained.

Rekindling fires pose a significant risk after large-scale wildfires. Smouldering hotspots can persist in soil, root systems or hard-to-reach slopes and trigger open flames again in dry weather and strengthening winds. This is why emergency crews often remain on site for days after visible containment, checking the edges of the burned area and cooling vulnerable zones.

When considering the number of people affected, it is important to distinguish between the different operational phases. Earlier official reports referred to several hundred evacuees; Franceinfo explicitly attributes the figure of 2,500 to developments on 31 July. Until a new official situation report is published, it remains a media-reported figure. What is established is that the fire at Gros Bessillon has triggered extensive firefighting operations, road closures and evacuations in several municipalities in the Var since 21 July.