In Photos: France Battles Wildfires After Record Breaking Heatwave
Fast-moving wildfires have scorched large parts of southern France, destroying forests, forcing mass evacuations, and prompting a massive firefighting operation. This photo gallery captures towering flames, smoke-filled skies, emergency responders in action, and the devastation left behind as authorities work to contain the blazes.
A firefighter works to extinguish a fire near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
A De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 releases fire retardant as it flies over a forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Emma Da Silva
Fire personnel look at a map as they locate fire zones near Ares, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in the forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Emma Da Silva
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in the forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Emma Da Silva
Local residents hose down smoldering fires in a forest in Souge, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
A firefighter takes a break after battling fires near La Haouteyre, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Emma Da Silva
Firefighters hose down a smoldering fire in Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
A firefighter works to extinguish a fire near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | Photo: AP/Baz Ratner
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