More than 20,000 people, including thousands of tourists from campsites and other holiday spots, have been evacuated as a “particularly intense” wildfire moves toward the Atlantic coast of southwestern France, authorities said.
The fire started in dense pine forest near the village of Saumos, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Bordeaux and just north of the popular tourist destination Arcachon Bay. Firefighters said Thursday that it had burned 2,400 hectares (5,928 acres) in less than 24 hours.
No injuries or destroyed homes have been reported so far, they said. But the Gironde prefecture noted that while 700 firefighters and four water-bombing planes were working to control the blaze, the situation “remains unfavorable.”
France has experienced nearly three back-to-back heatwaves since May, as climate change leads to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. These have caused thousands of excess deaths, dried up soils and waterways, and fueled wildfires.
Patrick Martineau, 69, who was evacuated from the village of Le Porge, told Agence France-Presse that police had “come banging on the doors … It’s scary – hard to take in. When we bought a home here, we never thought there’d be a fire risk.”
Sylvie, a holidaymaker from Paris staying in the more built-up area of Lège-Cap-Ferret, said a neighbor told her: “‘Get your bags ready, we’re going to be evacuated during the night.’ We put most of our stuff in the car trunk and left.”
Elke Urbain, from Antwerp, Belgium, who vacations in the area every year, said she was advised while on the beach Wednesday afternoon to “go back immediately to the campsite and gather your things. It’s just terribly sad.”
In 2022, a wildfire burned more than 30,000 hectares in the same area, forcing about 50,000 people to evacuate. In tinder-dry conditions and driven by strong winds, the latest fire has torn through the forest, with flames reaching 10 meters high.
Jean-Luc Helias, 54, from Le Porge, said he and his family had lived through that fire four years ago and “the firefighters do an amazing job to protect people’s homes. All that matters to me is that my family is safe; the rest is just material possessions.”
Nine local municipalities have opened reception centers for evacuees and were sheltering more than 2,500 people, the prefecture said. About 8,800 people were evacuated by midday Thursday, after 2,000 in the morning and 10,000 overnight.
Numerous roads in the area – including those leading to the Cap Ferret peninsula a few kilometers to the south, home to villas of celebrities and millionaires and one of France’s most exclusive holiday spots – were closed to all but essential traffic.
Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the wildfire. The mayor of Le Porge, Martial Zaninetti, said Wednesday it appeared to have been started by a machine clearing undergrowth.
Elsewhere in France, a fire near Pontevès, about 70 kilometers north of the Mediterranean port city of Toulon, had been “stabilized” by Thursday after burning through 2,500 hectares of land and destroying at least 10 houses, firefighters said.
The prefect of the Var department, Simon Babre, allowed 400 people who had been evacuated from the area to return on Thursday.They were allowed to return home to “assess the damage,” but officials said the fire was not yet fully under control.
Two weeks ago, flames destroyed a tenth of the UNESCO-listed Fontainebleau forest near Paris in a rare wildfire that far north. France’s interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, said more than 12,500 wildfires had broken out since the start of the year.
In Spain, most of the people evacuated on Wednesday evening due to a fire 70 kilometers southwest of Madrid were also allowed to go back home. A fire that has burned 32,000 hectares in the province of Guadalajara, north of the capital, was also described as stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the wildfire in France and the mass evacuation of tourists
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q What happened in France with the wildfire
A A large intense wildfire broke out forcing thousands of people including many tourists to evacuate the area for their safety
Q Where exactly was the wildfire
A The fire was in the south of France a popular tourist region
Q Why did tourists have to leave
A The fire was moving very fast and was dangerous To keep everyone safe authorities ordered an immediate evacuation of campsites hotels and homes in the fires path
Q Were any tourists hurt
A While the priority was safety reports often mention that some people suffered from smoke inhalation or minor injuries but largescale casualties are usually avoided thanks to quick evacuations
Q How were tourists evacuated
A Tourists were evacuated by bus car and sometimes on foot Emergency services guided them to safe gathering points like sports halls or beaches
Advanced Practical Questions
Q Why do these wildfires happen so often in the South of France
A The region has a hot dry and windy climate Combined with dense dry forests these conditions create a perfect environment for fires to start and spread rapidly
Q What should tourists do if they are caught in a wildfire while camping
A Immediately follow evacuation orders Do not try to outrun the fire uphill If trapped find a clear area lie face down cover yourself with a wet blanket or coat and cover your mouth with a damp cloth
Q Do tourists get compensation for ruined vacations due to wildfire evacuations
A Usually no This is considered a force majeure Travel insurance may cover trip interruption or cancellation but standard policies often exclude natural disasters Check your policy for natural disaster or governmentmandated evacuation coverage
Q How can I check if a wildfire is happening near my vacation spot in France
A Check the official French government website for forest fire risks local
