Major fire in Gironde: Fire brigade expects months of mop-up operations

Bordeaux – 26/07/2026: The major fire in Gironde continues to place emergency crews under intense pressure. According to the prefecture, cited by several media outlets, large areas around the Arcachon Basin have been devastated since Wednesday and numerous people have been moved to safety as a precaution. Most recently, the fire shifted southeastward and threatened areas in the wider Bordeaux region.

Éric Brocardi, spokesperson for the French fire brigade association Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France, expects a prolonged operation. In a fire of this scale, a great deal of time may pass between containing the flames and fully extinguishing them. Hidden smouldering hotspots in the ground, around roots or in inaccessible forest areas could reignite in wind and dry conditions. The affected areas must therefore be monitored over an extended period.

On 21 July, authorities had already declared the highest alert level for Gironde because of the risk of forest and vegetation fires. Access restrictions were therefore in force in particularly vulnerable natural areas. They were intended to prevent further fires from starting while firefighters, police and gendarmerie were heavily committed to the ongoing operation.

According to authorities, the fire began near Saumos on 22 July and then spread across a wide area north of the Bassin d’Arcachon. Areas around Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret were among those affected. According to the gendarmerie, the fire was temporarily contained. However, security forces remained on site in large numbers because of the risk of flare-ups.

The consequences extend beyond the immediate danger zone. Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine is monitoring air quality in Gironde and the neighbouring department of Landes because of smoke and fine particulate matter. Smoke plumes can also increase pollution levels in more distant municipalities. Guidance from health and civil protection authorities is therefore particularly relevant for people with respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses, as well as children and older people.

According to a situation report published on Sunday morning and based on information from the prefecture, around 42,000 hectares had been affected by the fire. The A63 motorway between Bordeaux and Spain remained closed over a stretch of about 60 kilometres. Rail traffic between Bordeaux and Arcachon was also disrupted as the fire moved towards Marcheprime.

The operation is not over when the open fire front ends. Firefighters must search damaged sections of forest, expose and extinguish smouldering hotspots, and repeatedly inspect areas that have already been secured. Especially in Gironde’s pine forests, heat and embers can persist for a long time in the dry ground. Brocardi’s warning of months of mop-up operations therefore describes a concrete risk: a fire that appears to have calmed down can flare up again in unfavourable winds.