Var Fire Forces 2,000 Evacuations as Blaze Rages On

A massive wildfire in the Var department of southern France has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and burned more than 8,000 hectares since mid-July, with authorities describing the blaze as defying comprehension. The fire in the Gros Bessillon massif, which initially broke out on July 21 near Pontevès, was thought to be under control before it reignited dramatically on July 31, spreading rapidly and forcing approximately 2,500 people to flee their homes.

“This phenomenon of a fire that goes faster than a galloping horse defies comprehension and defies the experience of residents,” said Simon Babre, Prefect of the Var, in remarks reported by La Libre Belgique. “The area covered, the destruction of the forest are absolutely Dante-esque.”

A Fire in Two Acts

The Gros Bessillon fire has unfolded in two distinct phases. The first blaze, which started on July 21 at Pontevès, burned approximately 4,500 hectares before being declared fixed on July 28 after eight days of intense firefighting. During this initial phase, about 5,000 people were evacuated from various villages across the department.

But on Friday, July 31, in the early afternoon, the fire reignited south of the original perimeter. In just six hours, it consumed 1,000 hectares, fanned by mistral wind gusts and stormy conditions that stirred still-incandescent embers. The renewed blaze forced approximately 2,500 additional evacuations from the villages of Correns, Montfort-sur-Argens, and Le Val.

By August 1, the fire had spread to nearly 6,000 hectares in the Gros Bessillon sector alone, combining both phases. Firefighters conducted a record 450 water drops in a single day, according to BFM, which reported that the fire was declared “stabilized” but not “fixed.”

“The last 24 hours have been hours of bitter fighting and a battle that was won… even if it’s not the end of the war against this Gros Bessillon fire,” Babre said at a press briefing.

The Longest Fire in Var History

As of August 6, the fire remains uncontained, with 850 firefighters still mobilized and 250 kilometers of fire lines requiring treatment. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has described the blaze as “the longest fire there has ever been in the Var,” surpassing any previous wildfire in the department’s recorded history.

The human toll has been significant. In Montfort-sur-Argens, “90% of the wooded and natural surface has disappeared,” according to Mayor Philippe Chuyen, who described the scene as “a bit of desolation.” The village of Correns lost 52% of its communal territory to the flames, with Mayor Nicole Rullan calling the destruction “criminal, it amounts to an attack to put lives in danger, to destroy nature.”

No human deaths have been reported from the Var fire itself, though firefighters have sustained light injuries. The damage extends far beyond the Gros Bessillon sector: more than 8,000 hectares have burned across the Var department since July 19, approaching the department’s 2021 record of 6,841 hectares burned in an entire season.

Arson Investigation Intensifies

As the flames continue to burn, French authorities are investigating whether some of the fires were deliberately set. The prosecutor’s office in Draguignan has announced that in two sectors, “the hypothesis of deliberate arson is seriously being considered,” according to L’Obs.

BFM Var reported that two new suspected arson attempts were detected in the last 24 hours, in Montfort-sur-Argens and Barjols. Prefect Babre warned: “We have a problem with arsonists, we need to hold the zone to prevent potential arsonists from presenting themselves, especially in the coming days which are high-risk days.”

Nationwide, 375 people have been arrested in connection with fires, including 142 minors, with 36 incarcerated. Thirteen investigations have been opened for 23 fires since the start of the season. A 23-year-old man has been placed in detention for multiple fire starts between July 19 and 24 in the Brignoles area, though authorities have not established a link between him and the July 31 reignition.

A European Crisis

The Var fire is part of a broader wildfire crisis gripping southern Europe during an exceptional summer heatwave. Across France, more than 117,000 hectares have burned since the start of 2026. The Gironde mega-fire alone destroyed 42,000 hectares and forced 220,000 people to evacuate, making it the most devastating fire in France since 1949.

Greece has deployed hundreds of firefighters in a battle “to their limits” against violent fires, including one threatening a popular seaside resort near Athens, where temperatures exceeded 45°C. Spain has faced toxic industrial fire alerts and wildfires on Tenerife, while nearly all major Italian cities have been placed on red alert for a new heatwave. Even Germany has been affected, with the Rhine reaching a new historic low in Cologne due to drought.

Fire Chief Eric Grohin noted that the Var department has experienced climate conditions it has “rarely known,” with nearly 5,600 hectares burned in July alone. The fires are exacerbated by prolonged drought, very dry vegetation and soils, repeated exceptional heatwaves attributed to climate change, and strong winds—particularly the Mistral in the Var.

A High-Risk Day Ahead

On Wednesday, August 5, Prefect Babre warned that Thursday would be a “high-risk day” with the return of the Mistral wind, gusts up to 50 km/h, and temperatures approaching 40°C. BFM reported that firefighters were preparing for a difficult battle, with the objective of “securing and installing locks to combat re-ignitions” on the fire’s southern and southeastern fronts.

The night of August 5-6 was calm, with only one re-ignition in Correns quickly controlled. By Thursday morning, firefighters had already contained eight fire reactivations since 9 AM, according to L’Internaute. New fires have also broken out in the Drôme and near Aix-en-Provence, underscoring the regional scale of the crisis.

What to Watch For

The Var fire remains a volatile situation. With 850 firefighters still deployed and the fire not yet declared “fixed,” the coming days will be critical. Authorities have maintained several precautionary measures, including the closure of forested areas and roads, an extended ban on transporting fuel containers, and a call to postpone fireworks displays.

As the investigation into possible arson continues and the broader European wildfire crisis shows no signs of abating, the Var fire stands as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity and duration of wildfires in a warming climate. The department, accustomed to summer fires, has never faced one quite like this—and officials acknowledge that the battle is far from over.