​​​​​​​Large wildfire causes widespread damage in southern France

The fire covered 240 hectares and spread extremely quickly, the local fire service said on Friday. The all-clear has now been given for most of the area.

18 Jul 2025 09:01pm
An Airbus H125 helicopter drops water over a wildfire in Saint-Julien Les Martigues, northwest of Marseille in southern France on July 18, 2025. - (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
An Airbus H125 helicopter drops water over a wildfire in Saint-Julien Les Martigues, northwest of Marseille in southern France on July 18, 2025. - (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)

PARIS - A large forest fire has caused extensive damage in southern France, with more than 1,000 firefighters battling the flames around the port city of Martigues near Marseille, reported German news agency (dpa).

The fire covered 240 hectares and spread extremely quickly, the local fire service said on Friday. The all-clear has now been given for most of the area.

The fire broke out on Thursday evening. As a precaution, 150 people were brought to safety, and others were advised not to leave their homes, according to the fire brigade.

Several roads were temporarily closed due to the fire. Two firefighters were slightly injured during the operation.

Smoke rises near buildings during a wildfire in Saint-Julien Les Martigues, northwest of Marseille in southern France on July 18, 2025. - (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
Smoke rises near buildings during a wildfire in Saint-Julien Les Martigues, northwest of Marseille in southern France on July 18, 2025. - (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)

Several other areas of southern France have been affected by wildfires in recent days.

One blaze, that spread towards Marseille, was particularly dramatic. Long-distance transport to the port city was suspended and the airport was temporarily closed due to the deployment of firefighting aircraft. - BERNAMA

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