French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said wildfires in the southwest are a major economic setback for the region as businesses and tourists were forced to evacuate. The fires have disrupted local commerce and tourism during peak season, threatening livelihoods across affected communities.

Lescure emphasized the government's commitment to supporting recovery efforts, noting that the full extent of damages remains under assessment. Emergency measures are being coordinated to assist displaced residents and impacted enterprises.

The Finance Minister warned that prolonged disruption could compound economic pressures on a region already vulnerable to climate-related events. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as firefighting operations progress.