Firefighters in Gironde are working around the clock to contain a series of wildfires that have swept across the French countryside, a region that is preparing for a sizzling 40°C heatwave that could fan the flames even further.
National fire‑fighting chief Eric Brocardi compared the fight to a David versus Goliath battle, noting that four firefighters had died in recent weeks and that more than 2,000 firefighters have been deployed in the Gironde to keep the fire under control.
Officials warned that the weather — dry winds and soaring temperatures — was helping the blaze to spread. The fourth heatwave of the summer is expected to hit the area over the weekend, raising temperatures to around 40°C.
Bordeaux, with a population of 260,000, is not yet under direct threat. Nevertheless, the city’s commander, Rémi Lassoureille, expressed concern about the western edge of the wildfire getting close to the metropolitan area.
In the last 24 hours, the fire has been 15 kilometres from Bordeaux’s borders, and air quality has deteriorated sharply.
The prefect ordered the evacuation of all campsites near Lacanau and advised coastal towns that remain to prepare for urgent departure. About 4,000 tourists were asked to leave the area, adding to the 220,000 people already displaced across France.
Officials estimate that roughly 240 homes and houses have been destroyed by the flames. Some of the wildfires are still active as of the latest report, with firefighters making urgent interventions in multiple locations.
A 23‑year‑old man was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire in the Var region and could face up to 15 years in prison.
Tourism has been hit hard, as exemplified by wine‑grower Peggy Plouhinec, who closed her estate’s weekend operations to protect visitors from smoke. While rainfall overnight helped the situation, she noted that businesses are still suffering from lower tourist numbers.
Local residents across the Gironde have expressed worry about losing their homes and the hard‑working firefighters have been exhausted after weeks of relentless effort.
