Human error behind most French forest fires where causes known

In the case that their cause can be identified, the majority of wildfires in France are due to human error, data reveals.

Information from France’s Agriculture ministry covering the 2024 year shows that the cause of wildfires can only be identified in around 59% of cases. 

Overall, only 12% of these fires were caused by natural factors, while the remaining 88% – nearly nine in ten – were linked to human activity. 

Of these, just under a third (31%) were caused by arson.

The remainder (57%) come from accidents – such as the Marseille blaze in 2025 where a vehicle caught fire on the A55 – or are started unintentionally by individuals or by workers on construction sites. 

Unintentional wildfires include cases where people had lit a fire but not followed safety precautions, for example lighting a barbecue incorrectly in their garden or entering areas declared off-limits due to wildfire risk.

State forecaster Météo France provides a daily forest fire risk map on its website throughout the summer;

It uses a four-tiered system, colour-coded in the same way as its weather warnings, to give the likelihood of a wildfire occurring in all departments. 

You can find the map here. 

In areas subject to heightened risk, residents are advised to consult their local prefecture website for the latest information on any restrictions in place.

In some cases, access to certain areas may be restricted to the public due to wildfire risk, while activities such as construction work and home renovation projects may be temporarily limited in affected locations.