On Wednesday 1 July 2026, Météo-France ranks six departments in the south of France among very high risk forest fires. Weather conditions, characterised by a prolonged heatwave, a extreme drought and the presence of the Mistral and the Tramontane, make the vegetation particularly vulnerable. A single fire could quickly get out of control.
The departments affected by the red alert
In these areas, high temperatures and drought exacerbate the danger, with a risk of "very high" compared with summer averages, according to forecasters.
Three more departments on orange alert
Three further departments have been placed under high risk (orange level):
Good habits to adopt
In light of this critical situation, the authorities are reminding the public of the importance of following safety guidelines:
- Avoid any behaviour that could pose a fire risk (cigarette ends, barbecues, work that produces sparks).
- In the event of a fire, dial the following number immediately: 18 or the 112 specifying the location.
- Follow the advice of the fire service and local authorities.
- Report fire outbreaks at FeuxdeForêt.fr
Nine out of ten fires are caused by humans. During this spell of intense heat and strong winds, every little bit helps when it comes to protecting the Mediterranean forests.