French interior minister warns of 'very unfavourable' wildfire conditions in southwest

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has described the ongoing wildfire situation in southwestern France as "very unfavourable," signalling a continued deterioration in conditions across the region. Speaking on Sunday, Nunez characterised the weekend as "another difficult night on the wildfire front," underscoring the persistent challenges faced by emergency services as they battle extensive blazes.

The scale of the disaster has prompted a significant mobilisation of state resources. According to Nunez, approximately 2,500 firefighters, including an international team from Switzerland, have been deployed to the Gironde department. This core firefighting force is supported by 1,500 military personnel and around 1,200 police officers, reflecting the French government’s commitment to containing the spread of the fires.

The emergency response comes as more than 110,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in southwestern France. The fires have already destroyed 14,000 hectares of forest, with a single fire north of Arcachon Bay accounting for the loss of over 12,500 hectares. The magnitude of the destruction has necessitated a coordinated national effort to protect populated areas, including the city of Bordeaux.

High-level political engagement has been central to the government’s strategy. President Emmanuel Macron has authorised the mobilisation of the military to assist civilian authorities, while Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu has chaired government crisis meetings to oversee the operational response. Interior Minister Nunez has previously confirmed the evacuation figures and pledged to protect key urban centres from the encroaching flames.

The crisis in France coincides with severe wildfire activity in neighbouring Spain, where a national emergency has been declared. In Spain, two major wildfires west of Madrid have merged into a single blaze, forcing the evacuation of more than 19,000 residents. The parallel emergencies across the Iberian Peninsula highlight the broader regional challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.