France Wildfires Ravage Twice the Area Burned Last Year: Report

France Wildfires Burn Twice as Much Land as Last Year Amid Relentless Heatwaves

France has recorded more than double the wildfire damage seen at the same point last year, as successive heatwaves fuel blazes across the country and intensify concerns over the impact of climate change.

According to Julien Marion, France’s Director General of Civil Security, more than 8,000 wildfires have broken out since the beginning of the year, burning over 25,000 hectares of land—roughly 62,000 acres or the equivalent of more than 35,000 football pitches.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have recorded a little over 8,000 fire outbreaks in our country, affecting an estimated burnt area of more than 25,000 hectares,” Marion said.

He added that the area burned is around twice what had been recorded by the same time in 2025.

Third Heatwave Since May

The surge in wildfires comes as France endures its third heatwave since May, with parts of western France placed under the country’s highest heat alert on Friday. Firefighters have been battling multiple blazes across several regions over the past week.

Scientists have increasingly linked the growing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to human-induced climate change.

Climate Experts Sound Alarm

The warning comes a day after France’s High Council for Climate said the country’s efforts to tackle global warming remain inadequate.

“We are entering a dangerous zone,” climate scientist Valérie Masson-Delmotte warned.

She said France’s infrastructure, land-use planning, ecosystems and economic systems were built for climatic conditions that no longer exist, underscoring the need for faster adaptation to rising temperatures.

Heatwave Death Toll Rises

The prolonged heat has also taken a heavy human toll. Official figures show that more than 2,000 excess deaths were recorded during the June heatwave, while another 300 deaths were linked to the high temperatures experienced in late May.

In response, the French government announced it would open cooling centres for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and homeless, to help them cope with the extreme heat.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon also said that 6,000 air-conditioning units—part of a planned rollout of 30,000 units for hospitals—have already been delivered and installed. France has more than 2,900 healthcare facilities nationwide.