Wildfires in south‑west France flare up as region braces for new 40°C heatwave
Firefighters in France are working around the clock to contain wildfires that have been raging in the Gironde region, while bracing for another sharp rise in temperatures.
The fire is like David against Goliath, said Eric Brocardi, spokesman of the national firefighters’ federation, after four of his colleagues had died in recent weeks across France.
More than 2,000 firefighters have been deployed in the Gironde to contain flames that have ravaged the countryside for days between the coastline and Bordeaux. The region’s prefect, Sophie Brocas, said that 14 places already hit by the fires saw new flare‑ups on Tuesday and that the area was “not in the clear.”
The anticipated fourth heatwave will see temperatures reach 40°C in the area by Wednesday, with similar highs expected in Spain. As the heat rises, authorities in Bordeaux are heightening vigilance over air quality, while residents are forced to wear masks and stay indoors.
Large declarations have prompted the evacuation of some 220,000 people across France, and a new evacuation order was issued for all campsites near Lacanau. The prefect also warned of potential sudden evacuations in nearby towns, and 4,000 tourists were told to leave the area. Official reports say roughly 240 homes have been destroyed.
The crisis has deepened the strain on local businesses and tourism. A wine estate director reported that visitors deserted the region due to smoke, while a resident of Cap Ferret highlighted the stark difference between Burns in rural trees versus concrete in the city.
Meanwhile, Spanish authorities have ended some evacuation orders, and President Pedro Sánchez remarked that light is beginning to appear “at the end of the tunnel,” even as fires continue to rage in other parts of Europe.
