Major Wildfires Scorch Southern France, Evacuations Underway as Flames Cover Area Larger Than Paris
SOUTHERN FRANCE – August 11, 2025 – Firefighters across southern France are locked in a desperate battle against a massive wildfire that has already consumed an area exceeding the size of Paris, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The blaze is the most severe in a wave of intense wildfires also impacting Spain and Portugal amid a brutal heatwave gripping Western Europe.
France’s Firestorm:
- Scale: The most critical fire is raging through the Var department, near the popular coastal resort of Saint-Tropez. Authorities report it has already scorched over 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres) – significantly larger than the 105 square kilometers (40.5 sq miles) of Paris city limits. Another major fire is burning in the Hérault department.
- Evacuations: Over 10,000 residents and tourists have been urgently evacuated from threatened areas, including parts of the Plaine des Maures nature reserve and several campsites. Evacuation centers have been established.
- Response: More than 1,000 firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft and ground crews, are deployed. Reinforcements are arriving from other regions. Firefighters describe “extreme” conditions with intense heat, strong, shifting winds (Mistral), and dense, highly flammable vegetation fueling the rapid spread.
- Impact: Critical infrastructure is threatened, roads are closed, and thick smoke blankets the region, reducing visibility and air quality significantly. Several structures have reportedly been damaged or destroyed.
Iberia Also Ablaze:
- Spain: Significant wildfires are burning in the Valencia region, particularly near the town of Villanueva de Viver. Hundreds have been evacuated as flames advance through forested areas.
- Portugal: Firefighters are tackling multiple outbreaks in the southern Algarve region and near the capital, Lisbon. High temperatures and dry conditions create a high risk of further ignitions.
The Driving Force: Extreme Heat
The fires erupt as Southern Europe endures an intense and prolonged heatwave. Southern France, Spain, and Portugal are experiencing temperatures soaring well above 40°C (104°F), with minimal humidity and persistent winds. This combination creates tinder-dry conditions where any spark can rapidly escalate into an uncontrollable inferno.
Regional Crisis:
“This is a major crisis unfolding across the Western Mediterranean,” stated a regional fire service spokesperson in France. “The simultaneous scale and intensity of these fires, driven by this extreme weather, are stretching resources. Our absolute priority is protecting lives and containing the spread, but conditions remain perilous.”
Meteorologists warn the dangerous heat and fire conditions are likely to persist for several more days, offering little respite to the exhausted firefighting crews.
International Concern:
The scale of the fires, particularly in France, has drawn international attention. Neighboring countries are monitoring the situation closely, with some offering firefighting support. The events starkly highlight the increasing vulnerability of Mediterranean regions to devastating wildfires fueled by climate change-induced heat extremes.