Forest fire in Gironde continues to threaten towns around the Bassin d’Arcachon

Saumos – 23 July 2026: The major forest fire north of the Bassin d’Arcachon remained out of control on Thursday evening. The fire broke out on Wednesday, 22 July, in the area of the municipality of Saumos, spread through Le Porge and moved towards Lège-Cap-Ferret. According to consistent reports from authorities and media outlets, more than 3,000 hectares of pine forest and vegetation have been affected by the blaze.

Firefighters are focusing in particular on protecting homes, campsites and tourist facilities on the Cap Ferret peninsula. Around 20,000 residents, holidaymakers and other people have been moved from at-risk areas as a precaution since Wednesday evening. Additional evacuations on Thursday included the Claouey district and several campsites along the road to Cap Ferret.

About 700 firefighters are deployed. They are being supported by firefighting aircraft, including Canadair planes, Air Tractor aircraft and a Dash 8 water bomber. Ground crews are trying to contain the fire along its edges and prevent it from spreading into inhabited areas. However, the situation is constantly changing, as individual fire hotspots can flare up again.

The incident command describes weather conditions as particularly difficult. High temperatures, very dry vegetation and shifting winds are accelerating the spread of the flames. Changes in wind direction can alter the course of the fire at short notice and create new embers far ahead of the main fire front. As a result, operational sectors and protective measures must be adjusted repeatedly.

According to information from the département, there remains an immediate danger to forest areas and individual residential zones. As of Thursday evening, there were no reports of fatalities or destroyed homes in the Saumos and Le Porge fire area. According to media reports, a firefighter was injured in a residential area of Lège-Cap-Ferret. Authorities are calling on the public to strictly observe road closures and instructions from emergency services.

The prefecture had already ordered stricter protective measures for Gironde from 21 July because of the exceptionally high forest-fire risk. The Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office also announced tougher action against unauthorized use of fire in forest areas. The cause of the current major fire is under investigation and had not been conclusively established by Thursday evening.

Over the coming hours, developments will remain dependent on the weather and the success of firefighting efforts. Authorities and firefighters continue to have a clear priority: protecting people, securing threatened buildings and preventing the fire from spreading further towards the heavily visited coastal towns.