Heatwaves and drought in France: wildfire warnings multiply for summer 2025
Dried-out soil raises risk of blazes spreading rapidly, but they can be hard to predict due to their human origin
Several major fires have already impacted the south this year
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Early summer heatwaves and drought conditions are likely to exacerbate the risk of forest fires in France this summer.
at the start of this week may be indicators that forest fires this year could return to the devastating levels seen in 2022.
Forecasts predict a summer significantly hotter and drier than average, creating ideal conditions for forest fires to spread quickly.
While around 90% of forest fires start due to human activity (whether intentionally or accidentally), dry vegetation makes it easy for blazes to maintain themselves, and can destroy several kilometres of forest or vegetated land in quick succession.
The fire in Marseille saw flames spread at a rate of more than half a mile per minute, as crumbling and bone-dry flora was set alight with ease.
Dry soil increases risk
Last summer was particularly quiet for forest fires because of a combination of preventative measures, plentiful spring rainfall, and a hot but standard-length summer.
However, the early high temperatures this year – two major heatwaves have already hit France and a third is due in the coming days – have dried out the soil much faster than last summer.
Drought conditions exacerbate high temperatures, as dry soil prevents the evaporation of water particles in the air – a natural cooling process that lowers temperatures – leading to a vicious cycle which can dry out soil at rapid rates.
A lack of spring rains also means soil and vegetation are drier than usual, and state forecaster Météo France is expecting a drier-than-usual summer.
All of this increases the intensity of blazes that do begin.
Warmer winters also pose a risk, as parasites that attack and kill trees and plants are not killed off over the period and decimate woodlands. These trees remain dead in spring and summer – becoming extremely dry – and quickly burn during fires.
These warnings mean residents in France – and second-home owners – should be more aware of the risks of fires, and prepare accordingly.
The human-centred origin of most fires means it can be difficult to pin down where they will begin. However, forecasters can asses meteorological conditions to predict where active fires are likely to spread and cause more damage.
A map provided by Météo France gives daily updates on the risk of forest fires in each department.
