Gironde wildfires intensify ahead of 40C heatwave as France faces unprecedented crisis
New evacuations ordered near Lacanau while health authorities warn of deteriorating air quality across the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
Firefighters in France’s Gironde region are battling intensifying wildfires as the country prepares for a fourth summer heatwave, with temperatures projected to reach 40C. Approximately 2,000 emergency personnel have been deployed to contain flames ravaging the countryside between the coastline and Bordeaux. The prefect of Gironde has ordered the evacuation of all camping sites near Lacanau, adding to the 220,000 people who have been evacuated across France in recent days. Officials estimate that 240 homes have been destroyed, while health authorities have urged residents to remain indoors due to significantly deteriorating air quality.
President Emmanuel Macron, who visited the fire-ravaged area on Monday, described the emergency as the toughest wildfire crisis since World War Two. The scale of the disaster has prompted the mobilisation of the military and the chairing of a government crisis meeting by Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu. Eric Brocardi, spokesman for the national firefighters' federation, characterised the containment effort as a battle of "David against Goliath," noting that four of his colleagues had died in the line of duty in recent weeks across France.
Commander Rémi Lassoureille, leading the firefighting response in Gironde, expressed concern regarding the western edge of the wildfire, which was reported to be 15km from the periphery of Bordeaux. While the city itself, with a population of 260,000, is not currently under direct threat, the proximity of the flames has caused dramatic shifts in local life. Graham White, president of the Bordeaux British Community, noted that the city had become "very quiet," with shops and restaurants largely empty, although he disputed media comparisons of the situation to the Great Fire of London.
The economic impact on the hospitality sector is already evident, with businesses closing due to smoke and ash. Peggy Plouhinec, general director of Château Picque Caillou, stated that while her vineyards were not at risk, tourists had "deserted" the region. She confirmed that the hospitality sector would suffer significantly from lower visitor numbers this summer, even as some estates benefited from recent rain. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man was arrested in the Var region on suspicion of starting a fire and faces 15 years' imprisonment.
Beyond France, the region is grappling with broader environmental emergencies. Spain has declared a national emergency as two major wildfires west of Madrid merged, forcing the evacuation of more than 19,000 residents. In Gironde, the combination of unfavourable weather conditions and extreme heat continues to complicate containment efforts, with firefighters intervening in various parts of the region as blazes pick up again. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated that the government remains "very vigilant" regarding air pollution, reinforcing calls for residents to stay indoors.
