NYT
In Area Hit by Blaze, French Officials Failed to Enforce Wildfire Rules
Friday, July 31, 2026
French regulations require homeowners to clear vegetation within approximately 50 yards of their houses. This requirement was not enforced in the forest areas where France experienced its largest fire in decades.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/france-heat-firebreak-buffer-wildfire.html