Southwest France wildfire covering 42,000 hectares remains under control

A massive wildfire that has scorched roughly 42,000 hectares in southwest France is reported to be under control after a second quiet night, regional authorities announced on Wednesday. The blaze, which has raged for the past week, has been contained to the extent that firefighting teams can now focus on monitoring the area rather than active suppression.

Despite the containment, the regional prefecture cautioned that the hot and dry weather conditions remain "unfavourable," signalling that the risk of flare‑ups persists. Local fire services continue to patrol the perimeter, and authorities have urged residents in the affected districts to remain vigilant and heed any evacuation orders.

The incident underscores the growing threat of wildfires in the region, where climate‑driven heatwaves and low rainfall have heightened fire risk. While the immediate danger has subsided, officials will keep the public updated on any changes in the fire’s status.