Disaster Response
France's wildfire season leaves wildlife as the invisible victims
France's wildfire season leaves wildlife as the invisible victims
July 29, 2026
France is facing a particularly alarming wildfire season. With nearly 11,000 wildfires recorded by the Civil Protection Agency and more than 115,000 hectares burned, the area affected by mid-July had already exceeded the total burned during the entire previous fire season.
Driven by climate change, France’s wildfire season is also growing longer, extending beyond the traditional July-August period into June through October. Drier air and soil mean that vegetation remains highly flammable for longer periods.
Thousands of wild animals fall victim
Thousands of hectares are being destroyed by fire, and countless wild animals are dying, displaced, or left struggling to survive. Mass mortality among insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, both large and small, represents a significant ecological loss that is often overlooked and, in many cases, irreversible.
Many animals are killed directly by the flames. Others die from a lack of food, water, and shelter when their habitats are destroyed. Animals fleeing wildfires may also suffer injuries, become more vulnerable to predators, or be struck by vehicles as they cross roads in search of safety. Some displaced wildlife may also come into conflict with humans as they seek refuge closer to towns and villages.
Wildlife rescue centres on the front lines
French wildlife rescue centres are currently caring primarily for animals affected by extreme heat, with relatively few animals arriving as direct victims of wildfires. Sadly, many animals are unable to escape the flames and never make it to rescue. Others that do survive may arrive later after fleeing burned areas, suffering from dehydration, exhaustion, or other injuries.
“Behind every statistic is an animal in real distress”
Aurore Morin, Campaigner at IFAW, said:
“The figures for the number of hectares burned and animals injured here in France are staggering. Since the end of May, an unusually early and relentless heatwave—with temperatures exceeding 40°C, drought and now an exceptionally severe wildfire season—has pushed the country’s wildlife rescue centres to their limits.
“Fawns collapsing in the middle of the road, exhausted swifts, dehydrated hedgehogs: the centres are overwhelmed, and behind every statistic is an animal in real distress. It is a stark reminder of the consequences climate change is already having on wildlife, right on our doorstep.”
As this crisis unfolds, IFAW continues to support France's wildlife rescue network as frontline teams work tirelessly to care for the animals that can still be saved.
A fox recovers at a wildlife rescue centre during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Réseau centres de soins
Wildlife rescue centers overwhelmed by extreme heatwaves
July 21, 2026
France's summer has barely begun, yet thousands of wild animals are already struggling. Record-breaking heatwaves and devastating wildfires are destroying habitats, separating families, and leaving exhausted, dehydrated, and injured wildlife with nowhere to turn.
More than 35,000 hectares of wildlife habitat have gone up in flames, already exceeding the total burned throughout all of 2025.
As forests turn to ash, wild animals lose their homes in an instant. Hedgehogs, foxes, squirrels, weasels, and birds are suffering, and rescue centres are now overflowing with record numbers of animals in need of urgent care.
Hedgehogs recover at a wildlife rescue centre during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Faune Essonne
The crisis has come during peak breeding season, where centres are already operating at maximum capacity caring for young animals. In June alone, 20 wildlife rescue centres admitted more than 8,750 animals—a 30% increase over last year. At least 70% of centres have reached capacity, forcing some to temporarily stop accepting new animals that desperately need help.
The impact on animals
The extreme heat has had severe consequences for wild animals. Nest temperatures have become lethal for many young birds, particularly common swifts, swallows and other insectivorous species, causing nestlings to fall prematurely or suffer from dehydration and heat stress. Hedgehogs are also arriving in unprecedented numbers due to dehydration and reduced food availability as prolonged drought affects insect populations, which they rely on for food.
Animals like fawns are also affected. This young fawn was found in the middle of the road; due to heat stress and dehydration, it no longer had the strength to stand up. It lay exhausted on the hot concrete while its mother called out to it loudly from five metres away. Fortunately, the animal could still be saved.
A heat-stressed fawn lies exhausted on a road after becoming severely dehydrated during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Réseau Centres de Soins Faune Sauvage
How IFAW is helping
To help with this wildlife emergency, IFAW is supporting the Réseau de soins Faune Sauvage, France’s wildlife rescue network, with life-saving funds. The funding will go toward wildlife care staff to maintain intensive feeding schedules for orphaned and juvenile wildlife, and emergency food supplies.
A young squirrel is hydrated at a wildlife rescue centre during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Frédéric Burda - CSFL
As extreme weather events become more frequent, wildlife rescue centres are playing a critical role in giving vulnerable animals a second chance at survival. IFAW is proud to support frontline responders working tirelessly to care for animals during this crisis.
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