The region is currently under a red alert for forest fire risk due to extreme weather conditions, with temperatures soaring to 40°C and winds reaching up to 70 km/h.

Access to many forest areas has been prohibited due to high fire risks in several departments, including Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Vaucluse, Gard, and Hérault.

In Bouches-du-Rhône, 23 forest areas, including popular tourist spots like Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire, are closed, while in Hérault, four areas are completely closed and three others are strongly discouraged for access.

The Gard department has two forest areas classified under 'very severe risk' with total access prohibitions, alongside three areas under 'moderate risk' with regulated access.

Authorities emphasize that 'nine out of ten fires are of human origin,' which justifies the access restrictions in place.

In response to the escalating fire situation, local authorities activated the municipal emergency plan, leading to the evacuation of residents and vacationers to community centers.

Significant forest fires erupted over the weekend in Occitanie, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 residents from a campsite in Canet-en-Roussillon.

Emergency services have mobilized 340 firefighters, seven Canadairs, two helicopters, and two water-bombing planes to combat the ongoing blazes.

Approximately 40 hectares have been devastated by a fire that is rapidly spreading between the municipalities of Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines and Villelongue-dels-Monts.

The fire that started between Villelongue-dels-Monts and Saint-Génis has raised concerns for nearby inhabited areas.

Another significant vegetation fire broke out in the Pyrénées-Orientales region, fueled by high temperatures and strong winds, leading to further evacuations.

The prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales is overseeing rescue operations, with a departmental operational center established for coordination.