“The fire’s progression is slowing down, but we are still dealing with an active fire,” the region’s deputy prefect Remi Recio told reporters.
“Compared to yesterday, the progression has significantly decreased because the weather conditions have changed, notably the wind direction,” Le Monde newspaper quoted Recio as saying.
Vehicles burnt in a wildfire stand, near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, August 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Abdul Saboor)
Close to 2,000 firefighters were on the ground to fight any flare-ups. The territory the wildfire has gone through – around 17,000 hectares – was up slightly from the 16,000 recorded on Wednesday night.
“The battle isn’t over yet, the fire could reignite with greater force,” prefect Christian Pouget said earlier.
‘Consequence of climate change’
Environment Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said the fire was the biggest one France has experienced since 1949. “This is a wildfire that is a consequence of climate change, of drought in this region,” she told France Info radio.