Var sits in SE France; current department influential in regional affairs and national sport debates surrounding VAR decisions at the 2026 World Cup.
Wildfires driven by an unusually long heatwave are spreading across southern France and northern Spain. Authorities have evacuated thousands, deployed hundreds of firefighters and aircraft, and are investigating arson links in several cases. The fires have damaged homes, disrupted transport, and highlighted climate‑driven risk.
Public Health France has reported 5,764 excess deaths between 17 June and 2 July, the highest heatwave excess mortality since 2003. Researchers in the UK have estimated about 2,700 heat-related deaths in England and Wales across May and June, and EuroMOMO and national agencies have reported over 10,000 excess deaths across western Europe in late June, mostly among those over 65.
France battles wildfires across Aude, Hérault and Marseille regions as temperatures stay high and vegetation remains parched. Firefighters are expanding operations while evacuations continue and authorities warn the heatwave could persist.
Wildfires in the Var region near Paris have escalated under a heatwave, forcing evacuations and disrupting transport as firefighting crews battle fires described as virulent and of exceptional scale. Firefighting planes have been deployed from the south, with thousands of hectares burned and dozens of homes affected.