Wildfire in Gironde: Emergency Shelters for Tens of Thousands of Evacuees

Bordeaux – 27.07.2026: Due to the wildfire raging in Gironde since July 22, returns to numerous evacuated locations remain prohibited. According to authorities, around 220,000 people had been affected by evacuations by Sunday. The fire near Saumos spread amid dry conditions and shifting winds. The incident command continues to assess the situation as dangerous, although firefighters reported progress at times.

For people who cannot stay with relatives or friends, Bordeaux Metropole has opened the Parc des Expositions exhibition grounds in Bordeaux-Lac as a central reception point. Up to 10,000 places are available there, with camp beds, rest areas, water, hot drinks and meals. Washing facilities are available at the neighboring Colette Besson sports center. Municipalities, the Red Cross and the citizen reserve are participating in the relief effort.

Pets may also be brought to the reception center. A separate area has been set up for them. The arrangement is intended to prevent people from remaining in endangered areas because of their animals or continuing their journey without a secure destination. Medication, food, identification documents and important papers should be presented at registration if they could be taken during the evacuation. Further accommodation will be assigned according to available capacity.

Employees from evacuated municipalities do not have to report to work on Monday, July 27, as long as they are affected by the evacuation order. They should inform their employer of their situation as quickly as possible. No one may return to a restricted zone on their own initiative. Instructions from the prefecture and emergency services take priority.

Bordeaux Airport remains operational according to its own information and is also serving emergency logistics. Buses and trams continue to operate, although trams do not stop between Merignac Soleil and the airport. Hotels around the airport have been evacuated on the orders of the prefecture. Travelers must therefore use accommodation outside the danger zones or go to the exhibition grounds.

Police and gendarmerie are securing the abandoned areas, directing traffic and keeping access routes clear for firefighters and emergency services. Return permits will only be issued once the fire front in the respective area has been sufficiently secured. Authorities are calling on people to heed warning messages on mobile phones and rely exclusively on confirmed official information.

By Sunday, the fire had affected around 42,000 hectares of forest and scrubland, according to authorities. More than 2,500 firefighters, as well as firefighting aircraft and helicopters, were deployed; soldiers were also mobilized to provide support. An interministerial crisis meeting chaired by President Emmanuel Macron was announced for Monday morning in Bordeaux.