A fast-moving wildfire that began in the Var department of southern France on Tuesday has burned more than 2,500 hectares and forced about 400 people to leave their homes, local officials said on Wednesday.
"The situation has been very difficult. Some 1,100 firefighters fought all night," Commander William Vogl, a spokesperson for the Var firefighters, told RMC radio. The deployment, he said, reflected the scale and intensity of the outbreak as crews worked through the night to protect communities and slow the fire's advance.
By Wednesday morning the fire had not yet been contained, Var prefecture officials said. Authorities added that winds were expected to be "more favorable" later in the day, even as high temperatures persisted across the region. The evolving conditions remained a central concern for emergency services coordinating the response.
Power distribution was disrupted. The Var prefecture reported that 2,300 households were without electricity on Wednesday, with most of those outages concentrated in the village of Cotignac.
Evacuation orders and relocations were carried out in several nearby settlements as firefighters and local responders prioritized civilian safety. Most of the people who were moved came from areas surrounding the villages of Ponteves, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens.
Officials emphasized the scale of the human and logistical response. The large number of firefighters working overnight underscored the challenge faced by crews attempting to control a rapidly spreading blaze while safeguarding populated areas and critical infrastructure.
The broader context of the event was noted by authorities and scientists quoted in briefings: Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent and many scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, while also creating conditions for sudden, destructive storms. That assessment was included in statements accompanying the operational updates from local officials.
As operations continued, officials said they were monitoring weather, power restoration efforts and the situation in the affected villages, while firefighting teams maintained containment and protection activities across the most threatened zones.
Quick facts
- Fire began in the Var department, southern France, on Tuesday.
- More than 2,500 hectares burned.
- About 400 people evacuated from their homes.
- Approximately 1,100 firefighters worked overnight.
- 2,300 households were without power on Wednesday, mostly in Cotignac.
- Evacuations centered around Ponteves, Cotignac, Sillans-la-Cascade, Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens.