Since 2.00 pm on Friday 24 July, several new fires have broken out behind the ongoing blaze in the Var, posing a direct threat to the towns of Pontevès and Barjols. The authorities have activated the FR-ALERT system to order the evacuation of residents from neighbourhoods south of Barjols and east of Pontevès. The emergency services are urging the public to follow instructions to the letter and not to hinder their operations.
Aerial resources urgently redeployed
The situation is worsening, as many aerial resources had been withdrawn from the Var to assist in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where two major fires are keeping emergency services busy, particularly in the Landes and Gironde departments. With the fire reigniting, aerial reinforcements are expected to arrive in the Pontevès and Barjols area within the next few minutes.
Another fire reported in the Hérault
Meanwhile, a major fire has been reported in the Hérault, north of the Thau basin. This new fire also requires the deployment of aerial resources, placing further strain on the emergency services already mobilised on several fronts across the south of France. The coming hours are set to be critical for firefighters and civil protection teams.
To follow the progress of the fires in real time, check our map of active fires and stay informed via official channels.