France records 420 arrests as country enters worst wildfire season on record
France has made 420 arrests, including 166 minors, over forest fires this season. Nine in ten blazes were human-caused, and more than 116,000 hectares have burned since January, passing the 2022 record of 72,000.
France is enduring its worst wildfire season since national records began, with more than 116,000 hectares burned since January, surpassing the previous 2022 record of 72,000. Investigators say nine in ten fires trace back to human causes such as discarded cigarette butts, unsupervised barbecues, and construction sparks rather than deliberate arson. Authorities have made 420 arrests, including 166 minors, with some cases moving through expedited proceedings within days, among them a 23 year old facing up to 15 years and a 150,000 euro fine for setting 10 fires in five days. In the Var department, firefighters battled the longest blaze ever recorded there. Total damage from the fires and heat waves is now estimated near 3.1 billion euros.