Wildfire in southern France 'stabilized' after burning 1,850 hectares

A wildfire in France's southern Var region has stabilized but remains uncontrolled after consuming approximately 1,850 hectares since flaring up Friday in the commune of Correns, with crews warning that shifting winds and scorching temperatures pose fresh challenges for containment operations.

Firefighting efforts amid challenging conditions

Around 1,500 firefighters drawn from other French departments and several European countries remain deployed alongside water-bombing aircraft, having benefited from humid and calm conditions overnight to tackle difficult terrain. "The gusts are expected to be stronger than yesterday and the temperatures high," a fire department representative said, noting that thermometers were forecast to reach 35C in Chateauvert and as high as 36-37C elsewhere in the upper Var region.

Crew fatigue and protection priorities

Lieutenant Romain Sorel, leading a detachment from the Drome department, stated that protecting residential areas remains the immediate priority as crews monitor changing wind patterns. "Today, our priority missions are the protection of all homes," Sorel said. "We will see how the disaster develops during the day. The wind is changing every day." Fatigue is mounting among teams who have battled fires for nearly two weeks, first in Gironde and now in Var. "Fortunately, there are many reinforcements from outside the department, it will allow us to catch our breath, with fatigue, it's more dangerous," firefighter Valentin Canale said.

Broader wildfire context

Var Prefect Simon Babre announced Sunday evening that most evacuation orders had been lifted, though the department remains under an orange heat wave alert with several forested areas closed due to severe risk. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported Saturday that wildfires have burned 119,000 hectares across France since the beginning of the year.