Wildfires in Gironde: Precautionary Evacuations Near Bordeaux Expanded

Bordeaux – 25 July 2026: Due to the ongoing wildfires in Gironde, precautionary evacuations around Bordeaux were expanded overnight into Saturday. According to consistent current reports, the new measures affect Saint-Medard-en-Jalles, Le Haillan, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Martignas-sur-Jalle and Saint-Aubin-de-Medoc. The decisions are being taken as a precaution because the situation and the direction in which the fires spread can change rapidly.

The affected municipalities are located west and northwest of central Bordeaux, in some cases directly on the edge of wooded areas. Different orders apply to individual zones. Authorities are urging residents to follow official alert messages on their mobile phones and use the designated evacuation routes. Anyone who has not received a direct instruction should not enter endangered areas on their own initiative.

Bordeaux Metropole has already activated accommodation and assistance facilities for people from threatened areas. A reception center at the Parc des Expositions Bordeaux-Lac has been opened to accommodate evacuees from campsites, holiday accommodation and residential areas. The municipalities are coordinating assistance together with emergency services, security forces and local aid organizations.

The fire situation in Gironde has been tense for several days. Forest and coastal areas north of the Bassin d’Arcachon, as well as other areas of the department, have been particularly affected. Smoke and changing wind conditions may also impair visibility and air quality outside the immediately threatened zones. Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine is continuously publishing guidance for the region.

The evacuations are part of a comprehensive operation to protect the population and keep access routes clear for firefighters and emergency personnel. Security forces are also securing evacuated areas and assisting with traffic management. The national Gendarmerie had already reported on 21 July that two firefighters had died during an operation near Bordeaux-Merignac Airport.

For affected residents, following local instructions is currently the main priority. Relatives should maintain contact with evacuees by telephone or digital channels whenever possible and avoid making additional journeys into operational areas. Information on possible returns can only be published once the responsible authorities have reassessed the situation in the respective sectors.

Authorities have not issued an all-clear for the affected areas. Whether further districts will need to be evacuated depends on the development of the fires, the wind and the capabilities of emergency responders. The situation therefore remains dynamic; only current announcements from the prefecture, municipalities and emergency services are authoritative.