Who are the 514 people arrested over this summer’s blazes?

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 14, 2026

French authorities have arrested 514 people, including 198 minors, suspected of deliberately starting wildfires that have burned over 115,000 hectares across the country this summer. With arson accounting for nearly a third of all fires, specialized investigation units are intensifying efforts to identify offenders and prevent further damage.

This summer, France has experienced an unprecedented wildfire season, with over 115,000 hectares (276,000 acres) of forest, scrub, and heathland consumed by flames. In response, French authorities have arrested 514 individuals on suspicion of starting these fires, including 198 minors, according to the interior ministry.

The suspects come from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a wide range of motivations and circumstances. Among them is a 15-year-old boy apprehended for throwing a burning cigarette into a wooded area near Bordeaux. Another case involves a 36-year-old man accused of igniting a paper bag of rubbish within bushes near Perpignan. A 50-year-old woman reportedly set 17 fires close to La Rochelle.

Experts studying arson in France describe it as a complex and often poorly understood phenomenon. Thierry Toutin, a criminology researcher with the national police, noted that deliberate wildfire-setting remains “a mysterious crime, often hard for people to understand.” Historically, the gravity of the offense was evident during the Napoleonic era when deliberately causing a wildfire could result in the death penalty by guillotine. Today, penalties include prison sentences starting at 10 years and fines of up to €150,000, with harsher penalties imposed if protected areas are affected or if lives are endangered.

Specialised arson investigation units have been established in several French departments, combining efforts from police, forestry authorities, and local services to better identify and prosecute offenders. However, investigations often face significant challenges because fires frequently destroy physical evidence, hindering prosecutions and convictions.

French wildfire data categorizes causes as natural (e.g., lightning), accidental (vehicle or electrical faults), involuntary professional or individual actions (such as sparks from machinery or discarded cigarettes), and deliberate acts. Public messaging throughout the summer has emphasized that approximately 90% of fires are linked to human activity, with roughly two-thirds classified as unintentional. Nonetheless, roughly one-third of wildfires are confirmed arson cases, intended to cause damage. In 2025, deliberate fires accounted for 29.4% of all wildfires, making arson the leading single cause.

Recent convictions reflect the varied profiles of those responsible. In one example, a 27-year-old man with autism and schizophrenia set fire to a letter addressed to his deceased daughter in highly flammable vegetation near Beziers; he received a four-year sentence combining detention and medical treatment. A 51-year-old man was sentenced last week in Perpignan to five years in prison for starting four fires in July and August. Other cases continue to emerge across the country, highlighting the broad impact of this ongoing challenge.

As authorities continue to investigate and respond to the surge in wildfires, understanding the motivations and profiles of those responsible remains vital for prevention and enforcement efforts.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.