Wildfire in Gironde: 42,000 Hectares Affected, 220,000 People Evacuated

Bordeaux – 26 July 2026: According to a new estimate by the prefecture, the major wildfire in Gironde had affected an area of around 42,000 hectares by 4 a.m. on Sunday. Since the fire began on Wednesday, a total of 220,000 people have been moved out of threatened areas as a precaution. The flames have devastated large parts of the area around the Arcachon Basin and are now threatening areas on the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area.

During the night into Sunday, authorities ordered further evacuations. According to the published situation reports, the affected areas included Marcheprime and parts of Cestas. Municipalities and holiday resorts on the Arcachon Basin had already been evacuated beforehand. Which areas must be left depends on the course of the fire front, smoke development and the roads available for a safe departure.

The fire broke out on Wednesday, 22 July, near Saumos north of the Arcachon Basin. On Friday, the Interior Ministry had still reported 10,000 affected hectares and around 40,000 people who had been evacuated or had to prepare for evacuation. The increase within just a few days documents the extraordinary speed at which the fire has spread.

Security forces are supporting the evacuations and securing the restricted zones. As early as 23 July, the national gendarmerie had reported more than 20,000 ordered precautionary evacuations in Gironde. In Lège-Cap-Ferret, firefighters worked through the night, according to the municipality, to protect the town centre and individual homes. Precautionary evacuations were also under way in Arès and Andernos-les-Bains.

The consequences are considerable for residents and travellers. According to media reports, the A63 motorway between Bordeaux and the Spanish border was closed along a section around 60 kilometres long. Rail traffic in the region has also been disrupted. On Saturday, the Transport Ministry announced a special arrangement allowing passengers to postpone or cancel travel to Bordeaux and the fire-affected areas free of charge.

Authorities are calling on the public to follow official instructions, keep access routes clear for emergency services and avoid restricted areas. The situation in Gironde is part of a nationwide strain caused by forest and vegetation fires: according to the Interior Ministry, more than 50,000 hectares had already been destroyed by fire in France since the start of the year through 24 July. In Gironde, operations are focused on evacuating threatened municipalities and protecting inhabited areas and key transport routes.