Wildfire near Taradeau and Les Arcs in the Var brought under control

Taradeau – 20 July 2026: The wildfire that broke out near Taradeau in the Var department on Sunday afternoon and spread as far as Les Arcs-sur-Argens has now been brought under control, according to the Prefecture. This is intended to prevent the flames from spreading further. However, the operation is not over for firefighters: hot spots must continue to be located and extinguished to prevent the fire from reigniting.

The fire spread rapidly on 19 July amid extreme drought, intense heat and wind. According to previously published operational assessments, it affected around 200 hectares of vegetation. The flames reached the edge of Les Arcs-sur-Argens, putting residential areas there under threat. On Monday at midday, operational commanders were still warning of changing wind conditions and new fire outbreaks.

According to the information confirmed so far, four homes were destroyed and 15 vehicles burned out. Other buildings were affected by fire, heat or smoke. Around 150 people had to temporarily leave their homes and were accommodated in municipal facilities. Residents of Taradeau and parts of Les Arcs-sur-Argens were gradually able to return during the night and on Monday.

At times, several hundred firefighters were involved in the firefighting operation. Ground crews were supported by aircraft and helicopters. A Dash firefighting aircraft laid down a roughly 1.5-kilometre-long protective line of fire retardant. The measure is intended to slow the advance of a fire and make it easier for emergency crews to secure threatened areas.

The reported containment does not mean that the danger has passed. Firefighters and security forces continue to monitor the fire zone, particularly its edges and difficult-to-access areas of vegetation. Wind can carry sparks or embers and reignite areas that have already been extinguished. Traffic conditions in the surrounding area may therefore also change depending on the progress of operations.

Because of the exceptionally tense wildfire situation, the Prefecture had already ordered protective measures for the Var. Heat, dried-out vegetation and wind considerably increase the risk of new fires. Access restrictions were in place in several forest areas of the department. Authorities are urging people to comply with barriers, keep emergency access routes clear and refrain from any actions that could cause a fire.

For Taradeau and Les Arcs-sur-Argens, follow-up measures are now crucial. The municipalities and emergency services are assessing damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure. No cause of the fire has been given in the information published so far. Weather developments in the coming days will remain central to the further wildfire risk in the Var.