A renewed wildfire outbreak in the Var department has caused significant destruction, with 1,000 hectares burned in just six hours. This latest incident occurs to the south of a previous blaze that had been brought under control earlier in the week after scorching 4,500 hectares.
Firefighters had been bracing for the possibility of the fire reigniting as high temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius combined with strong mistral winds to fan the remaining embers. The conditions have led authorities to classify Saturday as a high-risk day, with Météo-France maintaining an orange heatwave alert for the department through midday.
The current situation has prompted urgent action, with 2,500 people evacuated in the vicinity of the Gros Bessillon massif. The village of Correns, home to approximately 1,000 residents, is currently cut off from the outside world; access roads have been rendered impassable by the flames, forcing the local population to remain confined. Simon Barbre, the prefect of the Var, described the situation as an “appalling tragedy” for the region this summer.
Emergency response efforts are substantial, with 700 firefighters deployed to the scene. These ground crews are being supported by an aerial fleet consisting of six water-dropping helicopters, eight Canadair water bombers, and two Dash aircraft. This event marks the fourth major wildfire to impact the center of the department since July 19.
