"These fires are no longer anomalies: they are the visible symptoms of ongoing global warming."
Interview: Recent days have been marked by several forest fires and wildfires in the Aude, Gard, and Marseille departments. The early outbreak of the phenomenon, in which climate change plays a key role, heralds a risky summer, according to climatologist Davide Faranda.
Interview by Richard Godin
A fire in the north of Marseille, July 9, 2025. FREDERIC MUNSCH/SIPA
The south of France is awash with smoke: forest fires and wildfires have been raging for several days. A violent blaze has swept across 750 hectares since Tuesday between Les Pennes-Mirabeau and Marseille – it is now "contained" . In Montdardier, in the Gard department, 500 hectares went up in smoke before the fire was "brought under control" . In the Aude department, near Narbonne, flames have swept across some 2,000 hectares since Monday and remain active as of Wednesday, July 9.
An early fire season, which can be explained by a very dry spring, higher-than-normal temperatures, and already dried-out vegetation, lists climatologist Davide Faranda. Climate change also plays a key role, specifies the CNRS research director.
Fires in Marseille, in the Aude, several forest fires... Is the fire season early?Davide Faranda Yes, the fire season is starting in a…
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