Three French departments—Gard, Aude, and Pyrénées-Orientales—were placed on a red alert by Météo des forêts on Monday, September 21, due to a "very high risk of fire." This warning indicates the highest level of danger for wildfires, prompting authorities to urge caution and preparedness. Five neighboring departments—Hérault, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Drôme, and Ardèche—are under an orange alert, which signals a high risk of fire but less severe than the red alert. These regions, located in the south of France, are part of the Mediterranean climate zone, where dry and hot conditions can quickly lead to dangerous wildfires. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach up to 34°C in Perpignan and Montpellier, with 33°C in Béziers and Alès, and 32°C in Nîmes and Aix-en-Provence. These temperatures are significantly above average for this time of year. Strong gusts, ranging between 45 km/h and 55 km/h, are also expected. The ground remains dry and weakened by repeated droughts and heatwaves, increasing the risk of fires spreading quickly if they occur. The heatwave is expected to continue into Tuesday, with temperatures remaining above 30°C in the affected Mediterranean departments and other areas in the Occitanie region, as well as along the Var coast. However, with calmer winds forecast, no red alerts are currently in place for Tuesday. This reduction in wind speed lowers the risk of rapid fire spread, though the overall fire danger remains high due to the dry conditions. The ongoing drought continues to worsen, with little or no precipitation expected for the coming week. This lack of rain exacerbates the risk of wildfires and challenges agricultural and environmental systems across the region. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and advising residents to take precautions to prevent fires, such as avoiding open flames and ensuring proper disposal of flammable materials.