French authorities have arrested 514 individuals on suspicion of igniting wildfires during a summer marked by extensive forest damage across the country. The figure includes 198 minors, highlighting the breadth of involvement in these incidents. Since the beginning of the wildfire season, a record 115,000 hectares (approximately 276,000 acres) of forests, scrubland, and heath have been consumed by fire.
Incidents vary widely in nature and motivation. Arrested individuals include a 15-year-old boy accused of discarding a burning cigarette near Bordeaux, a 36-year-old man who allegedly set fire to rubbish in the bushes near Perpignan, and a 50-year-old woman charged with starting 17 fires near La Rochelle. The diversity of profiles among suspected arsonists reflects the complexity of the crime, which experts say remains poorly understood in France.
Thierry Toutin, a criminology researcher affiliated with the national police, describes arson as “a mysterious crime” that can be difficult to comprehend. Historically, arson was considered a grave offense in France; under Napoleon’s rule, it carried the death penalty by guillotine. Today, those convicted of intentionally starting wildfires face prison sentences beginning at 10 years and fines of €150,000, with harsher penalties imposed if protected natural areas are affected or if fires lead to fatalities. Life imprisonment is possible in cases where deaths occur.
Several departments across France have established specialized arson units that bring together police, forestry experts, and local authorities to improve detection, investigation, and prosecution of wildfire-related crimes. Nonetheless, the challenges remain significant, as fires often destroy crucial evidence, making convictions difficult.
Official French data classify wildfires according to their cause: natural events like lightning strikes; accidental origins such as vehicle fires or electrical faults; involuntary actions caused by professionals or individuals (for example, sparks from machinery or discarded cigarettes); and deliberate acts. Government warnings throughout the summer have emphasized that human activity is involved in nine out of ten fires. Of these, approximately two-thirds are accidental or involuntary, carrying penalties ranging from one to five years in prison if negligence is established. The remaining one-third are intentional, deliberate acts of arson.
In 2025, the most recent year for which comprehensive statistics are available, arson was the leading cause of wildfires in France, responsible for nearly 30 percent of all incidents. Among those convicted this summer was a 27-year-old man with autism and schizophrenia who set fire to a letter dedicated to his deceased daughter in dry vegetation near Béziers; he received a four-year sentence combining detention and treatment. In Perpignan, a 51-year-old man was sentenced to five years in prison last week for setting four fires in July and August.
Authorities continue to scrutinize these cases as France grapples with the escalating impact of wildfires, aiming to enhance prevention and response efforts amid changing climate conditions and heightened fire risks.