Wildfires in Gironde: Tens of Thousands of People Brought to Safety

Arès – 25 July 2026: Thick smoke hangs over the northern part of the Bassin d’Arcachon. In Gironde, firefighters are battling one of the most severe wildfires of this summer. Numerous towns are under threat, and residents have had to leave their homes. Despite the fire easing temporarily, the situation remained serious on Saturday.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, around 167,000 people in Gironde were moved to safety as a precaution. Of those, 57,000 evacuees were added overnight into Saturday alone. Areas around the Cap-Ferret peninsula and communities west of Bordeaux have been particularly affected. Authorities responded to the rapid spread of the flames and shifting wind conditions.

At least 100 homes and other buildings have been partially or completely destroyed, according to the available information. Earlier reports spoke of around 19,000 hectares burned in Gironde; on Saturday, authorities and media reported that the fire area was continuing to grow. For many of those affected, the loss involves not only their homes but also personal keepsakes and their economic livelihood.

The commander of rescue operations, Marc Vermeulen, described the wind as the decisive risk factor. Changes in direction made it difficult to predict the course of the fire. In some areas, the flames spread exceptionally quickly, according to the incident command. Firefighters therefore protected roads, settlements and critical infrastructure. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters supported crews on the ground.

Following a crisis meeting, Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that 500 additional soldiers would be deployed to support firefighters. President Emmanuel Macron also requested assistance through the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Croatian firefighting aircraft were expected to reinforce French emergency crews. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 50,000 hectares nationwide were affected by fires on Friday.

Several hundred firefighters were already deployed in Gironde on Friday, with additional crews arriving on Saturday. Authorities urged motorists to avoid travelling through the department whenever possible. The evacuations are intended to protect the population from fire and smoke, as well as from any sudden deterioration in the situation. Injured emergency personnel received medical care, according to the prefecture.

For many residents, returning home is not yet possible. In Arès and other evacuated locations, authorities set up command centers and emergency shelters, while access routes were monitored. Whether individual areas can be reopened depends on wind, temperature and the spread of the fires. The at least 100 destroyed buildings already show how severely the region has been hit.