Wildfire in Gironde: 167,000 people evacuated as a precaution

Bordeaux – 25 July 2026: By midday Saturday, the major wildfire in Gironde had affected an area of 32,700 hectares. According to the prefecture, a total of 167,000 people have been moved as a precaution from threatened areas since the fire began. The evacuations mainly concern communities around the Arcachon Basin and the wider Bordeaux area. Emergency services are responding to the rapid spread of the flames and shifting winds.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Saturday that the fire was now less intense than before. However, this does not mean that the all-clear has been given. Authorities are maintaining their protective measures because the fire fronts could spread again amid dry vegetation and strengthening winds. Further precautionary evacuations have been ordered for several locations near Bordeaux. According to its mayor, an evacuation of the city of Bordeaux is not currently imminent.

On Friday, the Interior Ministry had still reported that the fire had already swept through at least 10,000 hectares at that point. Around 40,000 people had then been evacuated or instructed to leave their homes. The sharp increase in the reported area and number of affected residents demonstrates the exceptional pace of developments within just a few days. The figures include precautionary evacuations; they should not be equated with the number of permanently displaced people.

The state has reinforced firefighting and transport capacities in the southwest. In addition to the Gironde fire brigades, personnel from other regions and national civil protection units are deployed. On 24 July, the Interior Ministry said that more than 50,000 hectares nationwide had already been affected by fires. At the same time, 32 additional fire operations were underway in France. The major wildfire in Gironde is therefore drawing on resources that are needed in many places during a nationwide strained wildfire season.

Housing the evacuees presents municipalities with considerable logistical challenges. In Bordeaux, several thousand people from the affected communities found shelter in an exhibition hall converted into a reception center. Security forces are supporting the evacuations and managing traffic on access roads. Long traffic jams formed, particularly at night, because numerous routes were closed or only partially usable. In addition to sleeping accommodation, authorities must organize food, medical care and information for people who are initially unable to return to their homes.

Because of its extensive pine forests, Gironde is among the French departments at high risk of wildfires. In the summer of 2022, major fires there had already destroyed more than 30,000 hectares of forest and made precautionary evacuations for tens of thousands of people necessary. The fire area now reported already exceeds that benchmark. The prefecture and incident command are continuously publishing updated situation reports.