# Almost 500 arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France this summer

https://mins.news/en/item/22139

- The Guardian, 2026-08-14 12:18 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/14/arrested-suspicion-starting-wildfires-europe-france

> French authorities say 474 people, including 183 minors, have been detained over wildfires since 1 July, with about 70% suspected of starting them deliberately. Record heat is fuelling severe fires across Europe, prompting evacuations in France, Germany and Croatia; several dozen people were injured in Croatia.

## Stories

- [European Heatwave Wildfire and Drought Crisis](https://mins.news/en/topic/european-heatwave-and-drought) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/european-heatwave-and-drought.md

## Related coverage

- [Wildfires spread across Europe as thousands evacuated](https://mins.news/en/video/24021) — France 24 English, 2026-08-17
- [France and England battle multiple wildfires as record heat grips Europe](https://mins.news/en/item/22057) — The Associated Press, 2026-08-14
- [Wildfires force thousands to flee as blazes spread across Europe](https://mins.news/en/item/21975) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-14