Marseille Wildfire Not Fully Contained, More Than 100 Injured

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for firefighters battling southeastern wildfires and urged the public to follow safety guidelines.

A police officer attempts to extinguish a car fire in L'Estaque District of Marseille, France, on July 8, 2025. Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images

A wildfire that reached the outer edge of Marseille, France, injuring more than 100 people, had declined but was not yet extinguished as of July 9, city authorities have said.

Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan lifted restrictions on the city’s 16th District on the morning of July 9 after what he called a “clear decline” in the fire’s spread.

In a July 9 post on social media platform X, he said emergency services are still operating in the area and urged the public to remain cautious.

Payan said 110 people were treated for smoke inhalation and related injuries.

More than 1,000 firefighters were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out near the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau and reached the outskirts of Marseille on July 8.

Marseille is France’s second-largest city and home to about 900,000 people.

According to local authorities, about 720 hectares (1,780 acres) were affected. Officials said nine firefighters were injured, but no fatalities had been reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron on July 8 expressed support for firefighters and emergency personnel battling wildfires in the southeast of France, including in Marseille, Narbonne, and Les Pennes-Mirabeau.

“Our thoughts are with the injured and all residents,” he said in a social media post.

Macron urged residents to exercise caution and follow safety instructions to ensure that emergency services could access the affected areas.

Travel Disruptions

The wildfire, spurred by hot summer winds, has also affected several areas in southern France in recent days.

The emergency affected train traffic in most of the area surrounding Marseille on July 8, further complicating travel on July 9.

In a statement issued on the morning of July 9, Marseille Provence Airport announced that flights would resume but warned that delays and cancellations may occur.

The statement noted that access to the airport by public transport and by road from Marseille remains disrupted.

“We advise travelers to consult the updated list of departing and arriving flights in real time, and to contact their airline for more information,” the airport said. “Passengers with a reservation on a canceled flight are asked not to go to the airport and instead contact their airline to find out what conditions apply.”

Heat Wave

Europe’s heat wave, which began last week, has fueled deadly wildfires and prompted emergency measures across the continent. More than 1,300 schools in France were fully or partially closed.

France also temporarily closed the Eiffel Tower last week because of soaring temperatures.

In Spain, a massive wildfire in Catalonia killed two farmers, injured firefighters, and forced thousands of people to stay indoors. The blaze, one of the largest recorded in the region, was partially contained by a late rainstorm.

Turkey has evacuated neighborhoods because of wildfires, and Italy has introduced protections for outdoor workers.

On July 9, Greece’s national meteorological service said very high temperatures would persist in the eastern regions, followed by a significant temperature drop across the country on July 10.

The announcement followed the closure of the Acropolis for several hours on July 8 because of high temperatures.