The renewed heat increases the risk of forest fires in Gironde

Gironde – 28/07/2026: After a few quieter hours, concern is growing again in Gironde over the resurgence of forest fires. The SDIS 33 fire service expects less favorable weather conditions: rising temperatures could further dry out areas that have not yet been fully secured and reignite hidden hotspots. The fire is considered stabilized, but not yet fully under control.

A large area around Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Hélène, Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, Andernos-les-Bains and Marcheprime remains affected. Numerous roads and cycle paths remain closed. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to avoid operational areas. Firefighting vehicles and rescue teams must be able to move without obstruction; additional traffic would make their work more difficult and put people at risk. The fire had spread in the region near the Arcachon Basin since 22 July.

The temporary improvement in weather conditions, with weaker winds, had given response teams time to inspect at-risk sections and secure the edges of the burned areas. However, this calm can be deceptive. In deeper layers of the ground, near roots and beneath a layer of ash, heat can persist for a long time without being visible on the surface. Dry vegetation and wind can therefore, under certain circumstances, be enough to create new flames.

Monitoring is particularly demanding in Gironde’s vast pine forests. Even if the open fire front is no longer advancing, teams must systematically inspect the terrain, extinguish hot spots and monitor possible flare-ups. Higher temperatures prolong these cleanup operations and increase the physical strain on firefighters. Changing winds also make it more difficult to assess the direction in which smoke or a new hotspot could move.

The closures therefore serve not only to protect against flames and smoke. They also keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles and prevent people from entering forest areas where the situation can change quickly. Visitors would be particularly difficult to reach in an emergency on cycle paths and small forest roads.

When roads, paths and forest areas can be reopened depends on developments in the individual fire sectors. Until then, instructions from local authorities remain decisive. SDIS expressly warns against confusing the stabilization of the fire with its final extinguishment: glowing hotspots may still be present beneath the ash and in the root system.