The massive wildfire that started Wednesday in Saumos continues its advance in the northern Arcachon Basin. In just over 24 hours, the flames have consumed 3,700 hectares of forest, successively reaching the areas of Le Porge and then Lège-Cap-Ferret. Nearly 19,000 residents and vacationers have now been evacuated.
800 firefighters and six aircraft deployed
At 7 p.m., 800 firefighters were deployed on the ground, supported by six aircraft, including two Canadair water bombers and a Dash 8. Crews are battling numerous flare-ups as the blaze remains highly unstable. The fire has been contained north of the town of Lège, but it is still not under control. High temperatures, dry vegetation, and shifting winds are complicating operations.
The flames reach Lège-Cap-Ferret
In the evening, the fire reached the area around the cemetery in Lège-Cap-Ferret. Several homes were affected, and firefighters battled the blaze house by house to protect the exposed neighborhoods. The town hall ordered residents still inside to remain strictly indoors. Traffic was heavily restricted to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.
A firefighter was injured in an explosion.
A firefighter was injured in a gas explosion while emergency services were battling a house fire in Lège-Cap-Ferret. His condition has not been specified. The extent of the damage is still preliminary. One detached house had already been completely destroyed earlier in the day, three others had been damaged by the flames, and a caravan had burned down.
Thousands of holidaymakers evacuated
In total, 18,800 people had to leave their homes, campsites, or vacation rentals. The evacuations primarily affected Le Porge, Claouey, and several tourist establishments located along the road to Cap-Ferret. Approximately 3,500 residents of a single campsite in Claouey were relocated. Around fifteen reception centers were opened in neighboring towns to house the evacuees.
An accidental origin is the most likely explanation.
The investigation is leaning towards a human-caused and accidental cause. The fire may have started with the use of brush-clearing equipment in the Saumos area. All forestry work using internal combustion engines has been banned in the Gironde department until further notice. Authorities remain concerned about the possibility of the fire reigniting overnight, as temperatures are expected to remain high in southwestern France.
