Wildfire in Gironde reaches outskirts of Bordeaux: Further evacuations ordered

Lège-Cap-Ferret – 25 July 2026: A large-scale wildfire in Gironde triggered further precautionary evacuations west of the Bordeaux metropolitan area overnight into Saturday. The prefecture ordered measures in parts of several municipalities after the fire front expanded further under the influence of strong winds. Areas near Mérignac and Bordeaux Airport are also affected.

Prefect Sophie Brocas said on Friday evening that strong westerly winds were driving the flames further east. The fire had reached an exceptional scale. With the evacuations, authorities aim to prevent residents from being endangered by flames, thick smoke or cut-off transport routes. Anyone who had to leave their accommodation should return only after official clearance.

According to the latest figures from the French Interior Ministry, around 141,000 people have been evacuated from Gironde and the adjacent department of Landes since Wednesday evening, including around 110,000 in Gironde. The figure of nearly 150,000 evacuees mentioned in the live ticker could not be conclusively confirmed based on the available information. The total may change at short notice with new evacuation orders.

The fire broke out on Wednesday near the Cap-Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast and spread rapidly over the following days. According to media reports, more than 22,000 hectares have already been affected. The region is heavily frequented by holidaymakers in summer; residents and visitors had to be brought to safety partly by road and partly by water. In some shelters, available space was temporarily insufficient, according to reports from the affected area, forcing people to spend the night in their vehicles.

The situation remains difficult for emergency crews. In addition to local firefighters, additional national forces, military personnel, medical teams and technical specialists are expected to be deployed. Authorities are using mobile phone alerts and are urging the public not to travel to affected areas. Sightseers and non-essential journeys could block emergency routes and hamper firefighters’ work.

Reception centers for evacuees have been prepared in Bordeaux and its western suburbs. The city of Villenave-d’Ornon said that a hall at the Bordeaux-Lac exhibition grounds has been receiving people from endangered areas since Thursday. Municipalities, aid organizations and security forces are coordinating accommodation, food and medical assistance there.

Whether further locations need to be evacuated depends primarily on wind direction, smoke development and the progression of the fire front. The prefecture said it would continuously assess the situation and issue new instructions through its alert channels.