France detains 420 suspects as wildfires burn nearly 120,000 hectares

French law enforcement authorities have detained around 420 people suspected of involvement in wildfires across the country, including 166 minors, as investigators step up efforts to determine whether the blazes were caused by negligence or deliberate arson, AzerNEWS reports, citing voiceofemirates.

Nearly 120,000 hectares of forests and vegetation have been destroyed by wildfires since the beginning of summer, according to official data.

Specialised forensic teams involving gendarmes, firefighters and forestry experts are examining the points where fires started, collecting evidence and assessing whether the blazes may have been deliberately set.

Human activity is believed to account for about 90% of forest fires in France. Men make up 97.5% of those detained in connection with the fires, according to official figures.

Investigators are seeking to distinguish between accidental fires caused by negligence and deliberate acts of arson. One high-profile case involves a 23-year-old suspect who is alleged to have been linked to 10 separate fires in the Var department.

The scale of the destruction has also fuelled calls for tougher penalties and greater financial accountability for those responsible. Proposals include requiring offenders to cover environmental damage and firefighting costs, while parents could potentially face financial liability when minors are involved.

The intensified investigations come as France grapples with a growing wildfire threat and seeks to strengthen deterrence against reckless or deliberate behaviour that can put forests, communities and emergency responders at risk.