A localised flare-up of the Gros Bessillon fire, in the Var, forced the authorities to order further evacuations on Friday afternoon in the commune of Correns. The fire, which had been brought under control after eight days of intense fighting and having burnt 4,500 hectares, flared up again due to a violent mistral wind and temperatures reaching 40 degrees.
The Var prefecture has stated that the flare-up, located to the west of Correns, was being fanned by gusts of wind blowing towards Montfort-sur-Argens. Several neighbourhoods and a campsite in the town have been evacuated as a precaution. A thick plume of smoke was visible from the surrounding area, indicating the intensity of the flames.
700 firefighters and water-bombing helicopters in action
In response to this resurgence, nearly 700 firefighters were deployed to the scene to contain the flames. Water-bombing helicopters flew over the area until nightfall to douse the active fire pockets and limit the spread. Their operation, coordinated with teams on the ground, aims to protect homes and sensitive areas whilst combating the fire jumps fuelled by the wind.
The initial fire, which started in a field in the municipality of Pontevès On 21 July, it had already ravaged one side of the Gros Bessillon massif and threatened several villages in the ‘Green Provence’, between the Mediterranean and the Verdon Gorges. After eight days of a fierce battle, the firefighters had managed to bring it under control, but the current weather conditions are complicating their efforts.
A department under an orange heatwave alert
The Var is classified as orange heatwave alert, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees. These extreme conditions, combined with the mistral, increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly. The prefecture is urging people to exercise the utmost caution and is reminding them of the safety guidelines to follow in the event of a fire breaking out.
During the night between Wednesday and Thursday, another fire broke out near Brignoles, some 20 kilometres from Correns, had already burnt 130 hectares and led to evacuations before it was brought under control. These events illustrate the increased pressure on the emergency services during the summer months, as forest fires become more frequent in France.
To keep up to date with the latest developments regarding the current wildfires in the Var, please visit our interactive fire map. If you spot a fire starting, report it immediately via our reporting platform.