This article has been updated (Thursday 7 August 2025) to bring you the latest on the massive fire currently burning in south west France. It has already burned an area larger than the size of Paris, according to officials. (See video in the article.) UPDATE 09 August, 8pm (20:00): The fire is under control! Nearly 90 km of firebreak edges remain to be treated.
Huge wildfire in southern France (7 August 2025)
A large wildfire is currently burning in South West France, reportedly the biggest fire in France since 1949. French President Emmanuel Macron has called the wildfire a “catastrophe”. The flames began just after 4pm on Tuesday (5 August) in the municipality of Ribaute (in Aude), not that far from Carcassonne, according to a statement issued by the local prefecture. Thousands have been evacuated as the fire has already torn through more than 16,000 hectares (including vineyards), an area larger than Paris.
Sadly an elderly woman has lost her life. Twenty-five have been injured, including a firefighter in critical condition. More than 36 homes have been destroyed 20 others damaged. (2,500 homes were left without power but this has been restored.) The fire also destroyed 18 hangars and 3 chalets, and 62 vehicles burned. (Numbers updated on 09 Aug.)
At least 2,100 fire-fighters and 500 vehicles were on the scene, as well as personnel from the gendarmerie and the army. (As of 09 August, 20:00, there are still 1,300 firefighters deployed in the field.)
The statement said that “130 aerial drops were carried out yesterday, including 55 by Canadair aircraft, 35 by Dash aircraft, and 40 by helicopters. More drops have already begun today and will continue throughout the day.
“Thanks to this massive mobilization and more favorable weather conditions overnight (no wind and cooler temperatures), the spread of the fire has slowed. Residents of the affected municipalities are still being asked to stay indoors, unless specifically instructed to evacuate by firefighters.”
People who have left their homes are urged to not attempt to return at this time.
The prefecture says 17 emergency shelter centres have been set up in 17 municipalities, with a total capacity of 1,759 places. An emergency unit in Narbonne is also caring for victims “traumatized by the ongoing situation”.
“The human toll so far includes one confirmed death, six civilians injured (one critically), and 19 injured firefighters—one in critical condition,” said the statement. (Numbers updated 9 August.)
WATCH: Deadly wildfire sweeps through southern France
The prefecture has thanked the firefighters and emergency workers for their brave and incredible efforts. The public is advised to:
- Avoid travel to allow emergency services to operate effectively
- Stay away from areas affected by the fire
- Follow official updates, and do not spread false information
A message from Aude on X:
À celles et ceux qui combattent le feu, merci.
À celles et ceux qui assurent tout leur soutien logistique, merci. pic.twitter.com/6xfubFqGDT— Préfet de l’Aude🇫🇷 (@Prefet11) August 7, 2025
Global warming is being blamed for the increased number of wildfires in Europe this year.
Canada’s Fires Cause French Riviera Air Quality to Drop
Original Article on this page (June 2025):
The customary cobalt blue skies of the Côte d’Azur have been dimmed in the last couple of days (June 2025) by wild fires raging in Canada, over 6,800km away!
As the particles fall to the ground, Atmo Sud has issued a ‘Pollution Alert‘, and the Alpes-Maritimes government has posted health recommendations for residents, particularly along the coast. (See below for details.)
The suspended particles from the Canadian fires were carried across the Atlantic by the strong winds of the jet stream, first reaching the UK. But while UK residents were treated to gorgeous orange sunsets their air quality didn’t suffer as the particles were too high.
But since reaching France yesterday (Monday 9 June 2025), the particles have been falling to the ground from high altitudes and settling in the region.
“The episode is currently easing in the Alps, (but) levels are rising along the entire coastal strip,” said the Alpes-Maritimes government.
Atmo Index is ‘Bad’ with ‘Poor’ Air Quality
According to Atmo Sud, the air quality index for Nice – where world leaders and environmentalists are gathered for the UN Ocean Conference – is currently ‘Bad‘. This index is rare and only seen 4% of the year in Nice, and 3% in Antibes. (Check your commune’s air quality here: https://www.atmosud.org/air-commune/)
‘Bad’ is however not the worst. There’s still ‘Very bad’, ‘Extremely bad’ and ‘Event’.
Atmo Sud says that in addition to the particles, “sunshine and light winds are contributing to an increase in ozone levels. Air quality is poor in the south and degraded in the north of the region.”
The observatory predicts that tomorrow, 11 June, the air mass which is laden with the particles will continue its path toward eastern Europe.
“Particulate matter levels are expected to decrease in the region, but ozone concentrations remain high. Air quality is poor across a large southern portion of the region, says Atmo Sud (which is the air quality observatory in the South Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region).
The Atmo index will drop to ‘Degraded‘ on Wednesday, and remain Degraded on Thursday.
What is the ATMO index?
It’s a daily air quality indicator calculated from the air concentrations of regulated pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5), says Atmo Sud. The index is updated at 12pm daily. The levels above Degraded are AVERAGE and Good.
What’s happening with the fires in Canada?
Canada suffers from wildfires most years, although this year some Canadians have said it’s the worst in their lifetime. The 2025 wildfire season began in the middle of May with over 160 wildfires, according to the BBC. The US and Australia have sent fire crews to assist.
Health Recommendations During a Particulate Pollution Episode
The Alpes-Maritimes department has these recommendations for vulnerable* and sensitive** individuals.
- Avoid intense physical or sporting activities (which force you to breathe through the mouth).
- Avoid high-traffic areas during peak hours.
- If you are undergoing medical treatment, seek advice from your doctor.
- Continue airing rooms for at least 10 minutes a day, both in winter and summer.
- If you experience respiratory or cardiac discomfort, consult a healthcare professional.
- The harmful effects of air pollution accumulate day after day, not just during pollution peaks.
* Vulnerable people: pregnant women, infants and young children, the elderly, and people with cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological conditions.
** Sensitive people: those who consider themselves affected during pollution peaks and/or whose symptoms appear or worsen during such episodes (e.g., diabetics, immunocompromised individuals, those with neurological disorders, or at risk of heart, respiratory, or infectious diseases).
Behavioral Recommendations During a Pollution Episode
For your travel:
- Limit travel and postpone non-essential trips.
- Choose public transportation or carpooling.
- Use non-polluting modes of transport.
- Respect the ban on open-air burning.
- Control indoor temperatures.
- Stop using inefficient biomass combustion devices.
- Postpone agricultural fertilizer spreading and soil work
As the government says these are actually actions to adopt all year round!
ALSO READ: Wildfires in south of France cause closure of Marseille Airport
