Wildfire near Ax-les-Thermes (Sep 27 · E), France (2026)

Wildfire near Ax-les-Thermes (Sep 27 · E) — NASA satellite

Yesterday's image: fire shows in orange and red. NASA MODIS

The story so far

About 15 km east of Ax-les-Thermes.

Following a 43-day span that stretched well beyond the typical June to September fire season, the wildfire near Ax-les-Thermes, France, has officially ended after burning for more than a month since it started on September 27, 2026. Satellites tracking the progression of the incident monitored a moderate heat signature from the burning front before the event concluded.

The fire reached an estimated size of 100 hectares, equivalent to 247 acres, based on satellite observations during its multi-week duration. This localized incident occurred against the backdrop of a severe national fire year in France, where 98,727 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a staggering 569 percent increase above the two-decade average.

In context

This wildfire burned in France for 2 days. In total it burned about 100 ha (247 acres) — around 1.0 km². That size is an estimate from satellite hotspots, not a measured area.

In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.