Paris, France – French authorities evacuated at least 12,000 people on Thursday due to massive and rapidly spreading wildfires in the southwest of the country. Local media reported that the fires, which have been burning for days in the forests of the Gironde region, prompted authorities to expand the evacuation. In detail, they included residents of neighboring villages and towns. In addition, thousands of vacationers were evacuated from campsites and holiday resorts in this popular tourist area.
The Gironde prefecture explained that more than 10,000 people have been evacuated as a precaution since Wednesday evening from eight different locations. Another 1,000 people were evacuated from several areas on the edges of the forests. Nine municipalities, including Liège-Cap-Ferré, Lacanau, and Bordeaux, opened safe reception centers. These centers have accommodated more than 2,500 people fleeing the flames. The fires have so far consumed more than 2,000 hectares of the Lande de Gascony forest. Officials confirmed that the situation remains extremely serious. Additionally, there are many challenges on the ground.
Field challenges and rare weather phenomena
On the ground, some 500 firefighters are continuing their strenuous efforts to control the blaze, supported by a fleet of fire engines and a convoy arriving from Charente-Maritime. In addition, there is significant aerial reinforcement, including Dash 8, Canadair, and Air Tractor aircraft. Rescue teams have encountered rare and dangerous weather phenomena, including a “firestorm”—a vortex of flames and smoke that has generated its own wind system. As a result, the direction of the flames has changed unpredictably. They have also been fueled by strong winds, which has further complicated containment efforts.
Current concerns center on the threat posed by the fire to the crest of Liège-Cap-Ferret, where the original blaze broke out in Sommos on Wednesday afternoon before spreading towards Le Bourg. This threatens the entire peninsula. Authorities expect potential difficulties in evacuations due to the presence of only one road in the area. The Gironde prefecture has appealed to residents to fully comply with evacuation orders to facilitate the work of field teams. Meanwhile, teams are conducting tactical maneuvers to deprive the fire of fuel, despite the blaze having already spread over 15 kilometers.
A painful human toll and strict preventive measures
This environmental disaster comes at a time when rescue teams are experiencing deep sorrow, following the death of two French firefighters on Tuesday while fighting a fire that broke out near Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. This incident comes after the death of another soldier two weeks ago in the Savoie region in the Alps. These events have prompted professional unions to denounce the lack of resources and warn of the extreme fatigue of fire brigades. In the context of investigations and precautionary measures, the Gendarmerie forces suggested that the cause of the fire was accidental. They believe it occurred as a result of tree pruning work using mechanical machines.
In response, the Gironde prefecture issued a decisive decree banning all logging operations using internal combustion engines for the duration of the state of maximum alert. The Bordeaux prosecutor’s office also announced that it would apply strict criminal penalties to any practices that endanger the forest environment. Particular emphasis was placed on the dangers of discarding cigarette butts. Notably, the number of fires has exceeded 12,500 and consumed approximately 44,000 hectares since the beginning of the year.
