France is facing an unusually long and severe forest fire season, with the risk of fires remaining high even at the end of September. As of 27 September, four departments were still classified as being in the "high risk" category for fires. Mathieu Regimbeau, head of agrometeorology and forest fires at Météo-France, explained that the country's vegetation remains highly sensitive to fire outbreaks, even though autumn has officially begun. Typically, the start of autumn brings a decrease in fire risk, but this year, the risk has not significantly lessened. Expected rainfall next week may signal the end of the fire season. If significant precipitation—measured in several tens of millimeters—occurs, it could help rehydrate the vegetation, reducing the likelihood of further fires. A somewhat active weather disturbance is anticipated to begin on Wednesday or Thursday, bringing heavy rains to a large part of the country, particularly the southeast. These rains could mark the conclusion of the extended fire season. The 2026 fire season started earlier than in previous years, with fires reported as early as the end of May. High temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and a lack of precipitation all contributed to this prolonged period of fire risk. Regimbeau noted that the extended fire season is a clear sign of climate change. Climate change models predict an increasing sensitivity of forest fires, with the season starting earlier and ending later each year. The start of the 2027 fire season will depend largely on winter precipitation and the amount of dry vegetation available to fuel fires. Nine out of ten fires are caused by human activity, and efforts are ongoing to manage and prevent these outbreaks. Regimbeau emphasized that human behavior plays a crucial role in reducing the number of fires. By making conscious choices, people can help mitigate the rising risk of forest fires.