In the Var region, the fires at Gros Bessillon and Ginasservis have been officially extinguished.

The Var prefecture announced Tuesday evening the complete extinguishing of the Gros Bessillon and Ginasservis fires. This announcement marks the end of nearly a month of fighting the Gros Bessillon fire, described as the longest ever recorded in the department. The flames burned through 6,300 hectares and destroyed approximately 5,700 hectares of vegetation.

The fire, which broke out on July 21 in a field in Pontevès, spread to the towns of Correns, Cotignac, Carcès, Montfort-sur-Argens, Châteauvert, and Barjols. Several flare-ups were observed, some of which may have been deliberately set. The blaze was contained on August 7 and brought under control four days later, following the efforts of more than 11,000 firefighters and some 3,800 aerial water drops.

Nearly 6,000 people evacuated

The fire in Ginasservis, sparked by lightning on the afternoon of August 14, has also been declared extinguished. Quickly brought under control that same evening, the blaze burned approximately 30 hectares and required the mobilization of over 200 firefighters. Authorities commended all personnel and volunteers involved in protecting residents and the threatened communities.

In total, nearly 6,000 people had to be evacuated and dozens of homes were damaged. Vineyards also suffered significant losses just weeks before the harvest, particularly in Correns, where nearly half of the town's territory burned. The affected towns in the Var region are expected to receive aid packages similar to those announced for victims of the Gironde fires.