Forest fire in Gironde: Nearly 1,000 firefighters deployed

Saumos – 26 July 2026: North of the Bassin d’Arcachon, emergency crews have been battling a forest fire of exceptional scale for three days. According to Franceinfo, around 33,000 hectares had been affected by Sunday evening. Nearly 1,000 firefighters are taking turns on the fire lines under extreme conditions.

The fire spread near Saumos through the dry pine forests of Gironde. Dense smoke, difficult-to-access terrain and shifting winds are hampering firefighting efforts. At the same time, crews must prevent embers from being carried over sections that have already been secured and igniting new fire hotspots.

The gendarmerie, civil protection and military are supporting the fire service, securing roads and assisting with evacuations. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters are intervening from the air whenever wind, smoke development and visibility conditions allow. On the ground, units rotate, take on new assignments or return from the threatened forest areas for resupply.

The situation is considered highly unpredictable. The immense heat creates air currents that can rapidly alter wind direction and the course of the fire. A pyrocumulonimbus was also observed on the night before Sunday, a powerful storm cloud that forms above particularly intense fires. Such a weather phenomenon can generate strong gusts, increase the spread of embers and significantly impair visibility for emergency crews.

Protecting the population is the top priority. Authorities ordered precautionary evacuations in several waves. Communities north of the Bassin d’Arcachon were initially affected, followed later by other endangered areas. Many residents found shelter in emergency accommodation, designated halls or with relatives. For them, it remains uncertain whether their homes and properties have withstood the flames.

Authorities are calling on people to follow warning alerts, under no circumstances enter restricted areas and keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles. Anyone authorized to return to evacuated towns should follow the instructions of the local incident command. Unauthorized trips into the affected areas could hinder firefighting operations and put additional people at risk.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the fire on Friday as the largest French forest fire of the current season. Gironde is particularly difficult to protect because of its extensive pine forests, numerous holiday resorts and important transport links. The proximity of densely populated areas also increases the effort required for evacuations and road closures.

The cause of the fire has not yet been conclusively determined. According to reports, the investigators in charge are also examining a possible accidental cause; no confirmed finding has been made. While the investigation continues, nearly 1,000 firefighters are focused on containing the spread and battling remaining fire hotspots.