The whole south west region is an artificial forest for monoculture (Forêt des Landes). It’s “naturally” quite prone to fires, and even more so nowadays with all the heat waves we faced.

It’s basically kindling now, so a single cigarette butt (or in the case of the largest one, maintenance on a powerline) goes completely out of hand in mere minutes.

It’s so dry and windy that the fires can jump a kilometre at a time, that’s why there are so many right now.