Early wildfires break out across France
Several forest fires have already burned hectares of vegetation in multiple regions and mobilised significant numbers of firefighters
In recent days, fires have moved through forested and vegetated areas, destroying hectares of land and prompting the mobilisation of large numbers of firefighters
Shutterstock/Castro and Schnaidt, Ville de Coye-la-Forêt Facebook post, Ville de Petit-Couronne Facebook post
Wildfires have begun to occur across several regions of France unusually early this season, with dry and warm conditions contributing to outbreaks.
Emergency services have been deployed in large numbers from Normandy across northern and western France, often working through the night to contain fires, monitor hotspots, and prevent re-ignition.
One of the earliest reported incidents took place in Coye-la-Forêt in the Oise department, where a forest fire broke out on April 26.
The fire spread through a steep and difficult-to-access regeneration plot made up of conifers and deciduous trees, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services. Nearly 100 firefighters were deployed overnight, supported by twelve water tankers, drones, and a command unit.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown at this time; an investigation is underway.” said la Ville de Coye-la-Forêt.
Although the main flames were brought under control overnight, crews remained on site to extinguish remaining hotspots and prevent any resurgence.
Further north in Normandy, a vegetation fire in Petit-Couronne broke out in the forest of La Londe-Rouvray on 25 April. The fire, which initially affected conifers and shrubs, spread across approximately 1.5 hectares.
Firefighters were required to work for an extended period due to underground peat continuing to burn slowly, in turn generating heat even after the flames had been extinguished. Drones were also deployed to identify remaining hotspots, while ground teams continued watering and digging into the soil to ensure the fire was fully put out.
In the Sarthe department, a major vegetation fire broke out on April 27 in the woods at Cérans-Foulletourte, south of Le Mans. Around 138 firefighters were mobilised to tackle the blaze, which had already destroyed approximately 4 hectares of pine forest.
The operation began in the early evening and continued overnight, with crews working to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the wooded area.
In Montlieu-la-Garde in Charente-Maritime, a forest fire burned approximately two hectares of pine woodland on April 24. Around 50 firefighters were deployed after the fire was detected shortly after 02:00.
The area had recently been placed under heightened fire risk warnings.
Most of the reported fires have so far resulted in no casualties, and limited or no structural damage.
