French authorities placed three southeastern departments under the highest wildfire alert on Friday as an intense heatwave continued to fuel extreme fire risks across the region, according to broadcaster BFMTV.
The Bouches-du-Rhone, Var, and Vaucluse departments remain on red alert for a "very high" risk of forest fires, according to Meteo-France, after being placed under the same warning a day earlier alongside Aude.
High temperatures have significantly increased the likelihood of wildfire outbreaks and rapid fire spread.
Var and Vaucluse are also among eight departments under an orange heatwave alert, while Bouches-du-Rhone is under a yellow heatwave warning.
Temperatures reached 40.6°C in Le Luc and peaked at 41.8°C in Cogolin on Thursday, both located in the Var department.
Forecasters said conditions on Friday are expected to remain largely unchanged, with daytime highs ranging between 34°C and 36°C across inland areas and along parts of the Mediterranean coast.
Temperatures are forecast to rise further on Saturday, reaching up to 38°C in the Rhone Valley and along the Durance River.
"The fairly widespread heatwave across the region continues. Maximum temperature drops will be recorded in some places, but never widespread or lasting enough to justify a change in the level of vigilance," Meteo-France said.
Authorities in the Var department closed seven mountain massifs, banning public access, vehicle traffic, and hiking because of the wildfire threat.
Meanwhile, firefighters brought a vegetation fire in the Aude department under control after it burned around 1 square kilometre on Thursday.
The Aude prefecture said late on Thursday that the fire had been contained, although 120 firefighters remained at the scene overnight to extinguish remaining hotspots and monitor the area.
