Forest fire near Bordeaux: Thousands of people in emergency shelter

Bordeaux – 27 July 2026: A forest fire in the Gironde has plunged the Bordeaux metropolitan area into an exceptional situation. On Saturday, 25 July, authorities ordered precautionary evacuations in eight municipalities or districts on the city’s outskirts. According to official information and consistent media reports, the fire advanced to within around eight kilometres of Bordeaux. An evacuation of the city itself was not initially planned.

For many of those affected, the route led to the Parc des Expositions in northern Bordeaux. The exhibition centre was quickly converted into a large emergency shelter. According to the city, around 6,000 people temporarily found refuge there. Nearby sports facilities were also opened so that evacuees could use sanitary facilities. Given the large influx, the reception site quickly reached its capacity limits.

For families, older people and holidaymakers in particular, the evacuation meant a major disruption. Those who had to leave their homes often took only the essentials with them. Municipal services organised sleeping places, food and information in a hall that usually hosts trade fairs and major events. Those in charge also asked people, where possible, to stay with friends or relatives outside the danger zone.

According to the published information, affected areas included locations in and around Mérignac, Eysines, Le Haillan, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, Martignas-sur-Jalle and Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc. The evacuations were intended to protect the population both from a possible fire front and from dense smoke. Police officers accompanied the operations. In some cases, they encountered residents who initially did not want to leave their homes.

The situation remained tense on Sunday, 26 July. Bordeaux Métropole continued to keep the Parc des Expositions available as a reception site. Hotels near Bordeaux Airport were closed by order of the prefecture because they were located within or close to the evacuation zones. Travellers therefore had to seek accommodation outside the affected areas.

The fire had spread through forest areas in the region since 22 July. The prefecture and incident command continuously adjusted their protective measures in response to wind, smoke development and the progress of the fire front. Information on the area burned and the total number of people brought to safety changed several times; no final assessment was available on Monday.

In the reception halls, evacuees waited for permission to return to their homes and for reliable information on smoke exposure. The city referred those affected to official announcements from the prefecture and the municipalities. According to the latest confirmed status on 26 July, the exhibition centre remained open as an emergency shelter.