267 firefighters injured during wildfire response in Gironde

Merignac – 31.07.2026: After nearly ten days of fighting the severe wildfires in Gironde, 267 firefighters have been injured. This is according to the latest update from emergency services, reported by Franceinfo. The flames have since lost intensity. However, the operation is not over: at several fire fronts, crews must continue extinguishing hotspots, securing firebreaks and monitoring areas already brought under control.

This phase in particular carries significant risks. Smoke impairs visibility, the parched ground is difficult to traverse, and heat can persist beneath the surface for a long time. Firefighters must carry hoses and heavy equipment through the terrain, keep access routes clear and inspect firebreaks. Long journeys, irregular rest periods and operations using breathing apparatus add to the strain. Renewed winds can also reignite remaining embers.

Medical teams are therefore accompanying the units in the operational area. In addition to immediate injuries caused by falls, equipment or vehicles, exhaustion and circulatory problems are a risk during long shifts. The now lower flame height does little to change the fact that work along the fire perimeter demands intense concentration for many hours. To maintain operational readiness, crews must be relieved in time and rest periods must be observed.

The wildfire has affected Gironde since 22 July. Areas west of Bordeaux and around Bordeaux-Merignac Airport were particularly affected; extensive evacuations were ordered. Emergency personnel from other regions and national firefighting resources supported local units. The French Interior Ministry most recently put the area affected by fires across the country since the start of the year at more than 116,000 hectares.

The dangers of the operation had already become tragically apparent at the start of the crisis. On 21 July, two firefighters died near Bordeaux-Merignac. According to the Gendarmerie, they were killed while battling a severe fire near the airport. Authorities had raised the wildfire danger alert level in Gironde to its highest level.

For residents, instructions from the prefecture and local incident commanders remain binding. The Gironde department restricted access to particularly endangered forest areas and warned against activities that could cause sparks or open flames. Such restrictions also protect emergency access routes: fire engines need clear access, while every additional ignition source could trigger new fire outbreaks.

Even after stabilization, the affected areas will continue to be monitored. Only when hotspots have been eliminated, fire perimeters secured and endangered areas checked repeatedly can the operation gradually be scaled back. Until then, the exhausted crews in Gironde will remain under medical supervision and be rotated at regular intervals.