Fires in Beaujolais: a growing threat to vineyards and forests

A region once spared... now increasingly exposed

For decades, the Beaujolais countryside enjoyed a kind of natural protection against large-scale wildfires. Its oceanic-continental climate, moderate summer temperatures, and historically well-watered soils meant that fire was a rare occurrence. The Rhône department, where Beaujolais is located, was not part of France’s high-risk wildfire zones, unlike Provence or Corsica.

Yet the picture has been shifting in recent years. The Beaujolais forest covers about 33% of the territory—dense coniferous stands on higher slopes, often adjacent to vineyards. These woodlands are now far more vulnerable due to repeated droughts, prolonged heatwaves, and vegetation that dries out earlier in the season.

The 2023 Bully fire was emblematic of this change: fifteen hectares destroyed, one home lost, and two injured firefighters. Such an event would have been considered exceptional a decade ago; today, local fire brigades regard it as a serious warning for the future.

The recorded wildfires over the past 15 years

Although the Beaujolais region still experiences far fewer wildfires than southern France, official data from 2009 to 2023 reveal a worrying upward trend. Seven significant incidents have been recorded in this period, affecting almost 80 hectares in total.

Year	Municipality	Surface burned (ha)	Type
2009	Valsonne	8.0	Forest fire
2011	Claveisolles	0.175	Forest fire
2015	Beaujeu	50.0	Forest fire
2016	Cenves	0.75	Forest fire
2019	Vaux-en-Beaujolais	0.1	Forest fire
2022	Vaux-en-Beaujolais	6.0	Forest and pasture
2023	Bully	15.0	Severe wildfire

While the number of events may seem small, the scale and intensity of recent fires are unprecedented for the region. The 2015 Beaujeu fire alone destroyed 50 hectares of forest, while the 2023 Bully fire required extensive aerial and ground resources to contain.

One striking fact emerges from national statistics: nine out of ten wildfires are caused by human activity. In Beaujolais, the main triggers include discarded cigarette butts, unsupervised campfires, agricultural machinery producing sparks, and improper brush clearing. This human factor makes prevention and awareness campaigns just as critical as climate adaptation measures.

Why the risk is increasing

Climatic factors

The most significant driver behind the growing wildfire risk in Beaujolais is climate change. Recent summers have brought longer and more intense heatwaves, coupled with prolonged droughts. These conditions cause vegetation to dry out earlier in the season, making it more flammable and easier to ignite.

Meteorological experts highlight four main aggravating factors:

• Repeated droughts reducing soil moisture and weakening plant resilience.
• High temperatures combined with water stress accelerating vegetation drying.
• Strong winds capable of carrying embers over long distances.
• Prolonged heatwaves that create ideal ignition conditions in both forests and grasslands.

These elements are particularly concerning for the Beaujolais forest, where coniferous species—common at higher altitudes—are more prone to intense combustion than mixed deciduous woods.

Human factors

If climate is the match, human activity is often the spark. Official statistics show that nine out of ten wildfires in France have a human cause, and Beaujolais is no exception.

Local fire services point to several recurring causes:

• Discarded cigarette butts along roads or vineyard paths.
• Unattended campfires or barbecues in picnic areas.
• Agricultural or forestry machinery producing sparks during maintenance.
• Improper or poorly timed brush clearing operations.

The fact that most fires could be prevented underscores the importance of education, strict enforcement of fire bans, and better coordination between forestry workers and vineyard managers during high-risk periods.

Climate projections and implications for viticulture

The climate trajectory for the Beaujolais region is clear: warmer, drier, and more fire-prone. Regional climate modelling, such as the ClimA-XXI study, indicates that average temperatures will rise significantly, moving the region’s viticultural profile closer to that of southern France within decades.

Period	Temperature change vs. 1970	Winkler Index Category	Fire risk level
1970	Reference	Category I	Low
2030	+1.5 to +1.6°C	Category II (≈Carcassonne)	Increased
2080	+3.3 to +3.5°C	Category III (≈Montpellier)	High

One striking finding is that a hot year in the 1970s (12.3 °C in Liergues) will be cooler than a cold year in the 2080s (12.5 °C in Liergues). This temperature shift will influence not only wildfire risk but also grape growing conditions.

Phenological changes

Winemakers are already observing measurable changes in the vineyard:

• Earlier phenological stages: véraison now occurs about 11 days earlier than in the 1970–1985 average.
• Ripening under hotter conditions: leading to higher potential alcohol levels and lower acidity in wines.
• Increased frequency of water stress periods: affecting vine health and berry composition.

These changes may alter the traditional style of Beaujolais wines, requiring growers to adapt their practices to preserve freshness, balance, and typicity.

The paradoxical role of the vine

A natural firebreak

Paradoxically, the vineyard itself can serve as a highly effective natural firebreak. This is not unique to Beaujolais, but here the phenomenon is particularly notable given the close proximity of vineyards to forested areas. Several factors explain this protective role:

• Minimal combustible vegetation between rows, thanks to regular soil maintenance.
• Regular upkeep of parcels, preventing the build-up of dry grass or brush.
• Higher moisture content in actively producing vines, making them harder to ignite.
• Row spacing that limits the horizontal spread of flames.

This protective effect has been observed in various fire incidents.

As former French Prime Minister François Bayrou once noted after a major fire in the Aude :

_"Where there were vines, the fire stopped" _

In Beaujolais, similar patterns have been reported in smaller-scale fires.

Vulnerabilities of the vineyard

Despite its firebreak qualities, the vine is not immune to the indirect impacts of wildfires:

1. Smoke taint – airborne particles can settle on grape skins, potentially altering wine aroma and flavour.
2. Fire retardants – chemical products used by firefighters may have unknown impacts on grape quality.
3. Thermal radiation – even without direct contact, intense heat can scorch leaves and berries.
4. Harvest loss – in extreme cases, smoke contamination can make grapes entirely unsellable.

The National Association of Wine-Producing Elected Officials (ANEV) has underlined a critical gap:

“There is no French study on the secondary effects of wildfires on viticulture.”

This lack of research makes it harder for growers to design effective protection and recovery strategies.

Prevention and adaptation

Current regulatory measures

To limit ignition sources during the high-risk season, local authorities enforce strict rules, especially from 15 May to 30 September:

• Ban on open fires within 200 metres of forests and woodland.
• No smoking in forested areas.
• Increased surveillance, with the Rhône fire service (SDMIS) carrying out between 300 and 600 interventions annually in wooded zones.

These measures are complemented by awareness campaigns aimed at residents, hikers, and agricultural workers, reminding them that prevention is the first line of defence.

Viticultural adaptation strategies

Winemakers in Beaujolais are not passive observers. Within the framework of VITOPIA 2051 (SICAREX Beaujolais) —a national demonstrator for climate adaptation—they are testing new methods to maintain vineyard resilience :

1. Plant material adaptation – selecting grape varieties and rootstocks more tolerant to heat and drought.
2. Modified vineyard management – adjusting trellising, pruning, and ground cover to reduce water stress.
3. Physical protection – using shade nets or anti-hail structures that can also mitigate heat exposure.
4. Crop diversification – introducing small parcels of other grape varieties for experimental purposes.
5. Agroforestry integration – planting trees to create microclimates and reduce evapotranspiration.

Technological innovation

Digital tools and precision agriculture are becoming part of the defence plan:

• Soil moisture sensors to fine-tune irrigation and prevent excessive dryness.
• Rainwater harvesting systems to build local reserves.
• Drone and satellite surveillance for early fire detection and vegetation monitoring.
• Mobile applications tracking phenology and climatic alerts in real time.

These innovations not only address wildfire resilience but also contribute to broader goals of sustainability and resource efficiency.

Research and cooperation

Beaujolais benefits from a strong local research ecosystem that brings together technical centres, academic institutions, and professional organisations. At its core is SICAREX Beaujolais, the region’s technical centre for viticulture, working in close collaboration with the French Institute of Vine and Wine (IFV), the Rhône Chamber of Agriculture, and several universities including Lyon 3.

One flagship initiative is VITILIENCE, a French national programme whose name combines “viticulture” and “resilience.” It aims to develop practical strategies for adapting vineyards to climate change, including the increased wildfire risk. In Beaujolais, VITILIENCE operates through its VITOPIA 2051 demonstrator, which focuses on:

1. Protecting vineyards against hail and heat stress.
2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in wine production.
3. Adapting viticulture to increasing water scarcity.

Despite this collaborative effort, a major gap remains: there is no French scientific study on the secondary effects of wildfires on wine production, particularly regarding smoke taint and the impact of fire retardants on grapes. Filling this research gap will be essential to developing effective emergency response and recovery strategies.

Perspectives for 2050 and beyond

Experts agree that Beaujolais viticulture in the coming decades will need to be both climate-resilient and proactive in addressing new environmental risks, including wildfires. This transformation will not happen overnight, but several key directions are already emerging:

• Progressive integration of heat- and drought-resistant grape varieties, potentially including those from more southern wine regions.
• Development of a cleaner, lower-impact viticulture, reducing dependency on synthetic inputs while improving soil health.
• Shared learning between wine regions facing similar climatic challenges, such as Languedoc or northern Spain.
• Technological innovation — from early-warning fire detection systems to vineyard management platforms that integrate weather, soil, and plant data.

By 2050, climate projections suggest Beaujolais could experience average growing season temperatures comparable to today’s Montpellier. This would not only increase fire risk but also alter the sensory profile of its wines.
The challenge will be to maintain the unique identity of Beaujolais while adapting to a radically different environment.