Forest Fire Near Biscarrosse: More Than 23,000 People Brought to Safety

Biscarrosse – 24 July 2026: Smoke hangs over roads, campsites and pine forests along the Atlantic coast: a major forest fire near Biscarrosse in the north of the Landes department triggered an evacuation on an unprecedented scale within just a few hours. According to the prefecture, the fire broke out at around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday near departmental road D652. By Friday morning, it was still not under control.

According to the latest official situation report, more than 2,500 hectares have been engulfed by the flames. Wind aided the spread, and the situation remained fluid. The affected area lies between Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born, where residential neighborhoods, holiday complexes and extensive woodland are in close proximity. Authorities have warned people not to approach the operational area or travel there.

More than 23,000 people had to leave their accommodations: around 18,000 in Biscarrosse and another 5,000 in Parentis-en-Born. The measures affect homes as well as campsites, a nursing home and a holiday group. Biscarrosse town center was also cleared after evacuations in the eastern part of the municipality. For many families and holidaymakers, this meant quickly packing the essentials, waiting for instructions from emergency crews and using safe routes.

The prefecture directed people toward Biscarrosse-Plage and along a southern route to Mimizan-Plage. Municipalities set up accommodation with support from the Red Cross, Civil Protection, the Order of Malta and private volunteers. The immediate priority is to provide evacuees with a safe place to sleep, guidance and the opportunity to contact relatives.

Nearly 600 firefighters are battling the blaze on several fronts. More than 70 gendarmes are securing the area and assisting with evacuations. Aircraft were also due to be deployed again at daybreak. The prefecture also called on farmers to make water tanks available for firefighting operations. Prefect Gilles Clavreul activated the departmental crisis unit, which is coordinating the response.

There was no confirmed information on the cause of the fire on Friday morning. The investigation is unlikely to make reliable progress until emergency crews have contained the immediate danger. Until then, residents and holidaymakers are urged to follow instructions from firefighters, the gendarmerie, town halls and the prefecture. Anyone who has been evacuated should not return on their own initiative.

The fire has struck the region in the middle of the holiday season, showing how quickly a fire in a dry, wind-exposed forest landscape can become a crisis for entire communities. Behind the large numbers are people who had to spend the night away from home. The next few hours will determine when authorities can give the all-clear and what damage will become visible after the operation.