IFAW expands support as wildlife rescue centers remain under pressure

France's wildfire season leaves wildlife as the invisible victims

July 29, 2026

France is facing a particularly alarming wildfire season. With nearly 11,000 wildfires recorded by the Civil Protection Agency and more than 115,000 hectares burned, the area affected by mid-July had already exceeded the total burned during the entire previous fire season.

Driven by climate change, France's wildfire season is also growing longer, extending beyond the traditional July-August period into June through October. Drier air and soil mean that vegetation remains highly flammable for longer periods.

Thousands of wild animals fall victim

Thousands of hectares are being destroyed by fire, and countless wild animals are dying, displaced, or left struggling to survive. Mass mortality among insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, both large and small, represents a significant ecological loss that is often overlooked and, in many cases, irreversible.

Many animals are killed directly by the flames. Others die from a lack of food, water, and shelter when their habitats are destroyed. Animals fleeing wildfires may also suffer injuries, become more vulnerable to predators, or be struck by vehicles as they cross roads in search of safety. Some displaced wildlife may also come into conflict with humans as they seek refuge closer to towns and villages.