Over 300 arrested in France this summer on suspicion of starting fires

Police and gendarmes have arrested 308 people across France this summer – including 120 minors – over suspicion of starting fires. 

This includes arsonists and those who accidentally begin blazes. In Dordogne, a man was arrested after burning garden waste on his property last week, sparking a fire.

Of those arrested, 33 have already been convicted or are in pre-trial detention.

Forest patrols have been strengthened in a bid to catch arsonists. 

A recent survey by Ipsos BVA revealed that 17% of smokers in France throw their cigarettes out of the window while driving.

This comes despite 87% of respondents believing this was a major cause of wildfires.

A third of respondents said they had been impacted by recent wildfires, with 60% expecting to be affected in the coming years.

The study of over 2,000 people was undertaken for Fondation Vinci Autoroutes and published on Friday (July 31).

France is set to face its most devastating year for wildfires, with more than 115,000 hectares already burned according to the government.

What is the latest on wildfires burning in France?

The huge wildfire in Gironde remains stable for a fifth successive day, with authorities hoping to tackle areas seeing persistent fire outbreaks today.

Weather conditions last night were ‘favourable’ with a drop in temperatures and increase in humidity, and another day of calm weather is expected in the department helping firefighters carry out dousing exercises.

The fire’s 42,000 hectares perimeter has remained stable since Sunday evening, however several fires continue to spring up inside the wider area. 

Particular hotspots include Claouey, Lanton, Le Porge, and Lacanau, with areas close to sand dunes seeing frequent blazes.

This means the fire is yet to be officially declared ‘fixé’, as the risk of blazes inside the area remains.

Around 84,000 people previously evacuated from the area were allowed to return yesterday. This is less than half of the 220,000 evacuated however.

Authorities remain fully mobilised to tackle the fire, with 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 18 anti-fire craft being deployed in recent days.

Farmers have been helping firefighters in the area, although this has led to tension with the prefecture due to the risks involved.

Fires in Hautes-Alpes and Corsica now under control

Elsewhere fires in Hautes-Alpes and Corsica that have been raging for well over a week are now under control, however some ‘hot points’ where fires continue to flare up remain. 

They have burned well over 500 and 1,000 hectares respectively. 

No new fires have been recorded in the Var department, following a major blaze in Pontevès last week and a fire on Wednesday night near Brignoles that was quickly put under control. 

Indeed, there have not been any reports of major new wildfires in France since the Brignoles blaze. 

Storms will travel across France on Friday bringing rain and humidity to many areas, reducing the risk of new fires. 

State forecaster Météo France has placed nine departments on a heightened risk of blazes today, falling to seven on Saturday.

Temperatures will rise at the end of the weekend, increasing fire risk, but storms and rain are forecast at the start of next week across much of the country, once again reducing the risk of new blazes.