Forest fire in Gironde: new evacuations ordered in Claouey

Claouey – 23.07.2026: The severe forest fire in Gironde led to further precautionary evacuations on Thursday in the Claouey district, on the Cap Ferret peninsula. According to the prefecture, at least 12,000 residents, holidaymakers and employees have been brought to safety since Wednesday in the threatened areas. The authorities ordered these additional evacuations because the fire continued to spread toward the heavily frequented coastal area.

The fire broke out on Wednesday, 22 July, in the municipality of Saumos. It then crossed wooded areas toward Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret. By Thursday morning, the fire had already devastated more than 2,400 hectares, according to consistent reports from authorities and news agencies. The situation remained tense, with dry vegetation and unfavorable weather conditions complicating firefighting operations.

In Claouey, the ordered protective measures concerned, in particular, holiday residences and campsites located near the woods. The evacuations are intended to protect the population from a possible rapid development of the fire front while keeping access routes clear for firefighters, emergency services and security forces. Prefect Sophie Brocas called on those concerned to follow the instructions of the operations command without delay and not to enter prohibited areas.

According to the situation update published in the morning, no injuries were known at that time. No major damage to homes had been reported at this stage either. However, the authorities stressed that this assessment could change at any time. The priority remains protecting people in the heavily frequented tourist municipalities north of the Arcachon Basin.

Numerous firefighters from the region are battling the flames; additional reinforcements and aerial resources have been mobilized. The operations command is focusing on limiting the spread along forested areas and on early action against new outbreaks of fire. Local traffic and access restrictions remain in force for the population and may be extended depending on how the situation develops.

Even before the fire, the departmental council had placed Gironde at the highest alert level due to the high risk of forest fires. Special restrictions therefore apply in wooded municipalities, particularly regarding access to natural areas and activities likely to cause sparks. The current disaster shows how quickly fires can spread through the region’s pine forests during periods of summer drought.

The relevant services have set up reception and information facilities for evacuated people. The prefecture advises residents and visitors to rely exclusively on official communications, avoid travel toward the intervention area and use the designated routes in the event of an evacuation order. Returning to evacuated areas will only be possible when expressly authorized by the local operations command.