On Wednesday 16 July, Météo-France has issued a warning of an extremely high risk of wildfires in three departments in the south-east: the Bouches-du-Rhône, the Var and the Vaucluse. These territories are placed in red alert, the highest level on the forest weather alert scale.
This situation is due to a combination of several factors: very dry air, parched ground, and the return of the mistral, with gusts of up to 70 km/h. Even the smallest spark could turn into an uncontrollable fire.
Very severe risk: the public are urged to exercise the utmost caution
In addition to the three departments on red alert, Six departments are on orange alert (level 3) : Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardèche, Aude, Drôme, Gard, Hérault. The yellow level (level 2) relates to today 38 departments, spread across a large part of the centre and south-west of the country.
In total, there are 47 out of 96 departments which are currently subject to a Level 2 or higher forest fire warning.
The authorities are emphasising the importance of prevention: no open fires, no littering, and no cigarette ends in the forest or by the roadside. It is essential to report any suspicious smoke by calling 18 or 112.
In these extreme conditions, every action counts in preventing a disaster. To follow live updates on the fire risk, see our Today’s alert map and our forest weather.