Gironde: Heat threatens to reignite the megafire after 42.000 hectares ravaged

The massive wildfire raging in the Gironde region remained stable Tuesday morning, after a calm night with no further spread. Since it started Wednesday, July 22, in Saumos, the fire has burned through 42,000 hectares around the Arcachon Basin. However, rising temperatures and lower humidity are raising concerns about the possibility of flare-ups in the coming hours.

Several controlled recoveries during the night

The burned area did not increase overnight from Monday to Tuesday. However, several flare-ups were reported north of Le Porge and in the dune area north of Cap-Ferret. These fires were quickly brought under control by firefighters. The fire, however, remains only stabilized and is not yet considered contained. Numerous hotspots remain within the burned areas and could reignite due to heat, wind, or a drop in humidity.

Temperatures of up to 35°C are expected starting this Tuesday.

The Gironde department has been placed under a yellow heatwave warning starting midday. Temperatures are expected to reach between 33 and 35°C inland, particularly in areas where firefighters are continuing their operations. A further increase is forecast for Wednesday, with temperatures potentially approaching 40°C in some areas. Winds are expected to be less violent than during the first days of the fire, but they will be drier. The anticipated drop in humidity could accelerate the drying of vegetation and encourage the reignition of fires still smoldering in the soil or piles of burnt wood.

Firefighters are preparing the ground before the return of the heatwave

Operations are continuing without interruption across the entire perimeter. Military engineers and forest firefighting teams resumed their work at 6:30 a.m. to reinforce the protection zones. A total of 103 kilometers of tactical firebreaks have been created. These wide strips, cleared of vegetation, are intended to form barriers designed to slow or stop any further spread of the flames. Ground forces continue to be supported by water bombers and the Air Force's A400M, capable of dropping up to 20 tons of fire retardant during a single pass. Foreign reinforcements, notably from Germany, have also been sent to the Southwest.

220,000 people evacuated since the start of the fire

Since Wednesday, approximately 220,000 residents and vacationers have been evacuated around the Arcachon Basin and in several towns west of Bordeaux. At least 240 homes have been destroyed by the flames. No general return of the evacuated population is planned until the fire is contained. More than 1,000 people remain housed at the Bordeaux Exhibition Center, including residents of retirement homes. Summer camps have been suspended in the department. Sporting and cultural events are also prohibited until August 8, as are water sports and boating on Lake Cazaux-Sanguinet.

93 firefighters injured

The human toll continues to rise among firefighters. Since the start of the blaze, 93 firefighters have been injured during operations. Crews are working in particularly challenging terrain, marked by extreme temperatures, thick smoke, and rapid changes in wind direction. The numerous flare-ups force firefighters to constantly monitor areas already engulfed by flames.

The A63 motorway and rail links remain disrupted.

Traffic remains partially disrupted on the A63 motorway between Bordeaux and Bayonne. Rail service also remains suspended south of Bordeaux, with the exception of the line connecting the city to Toulouse. Trains to Arcachon, Hendaye, and Tarbes are either canceled or terminate in Bordeaux. These restrictions are expected to remain in place at least until Wednesday, July 29, depending on the evolution of the fire and the safety conditions around the infrastructure.

A still extremely fragile situation

After several days of uncontrolled spread, the stabilization of the megafire offers a first respite to the teams involved. But the battle is far from over. The rise in temperatures expected starting this Tuesday now constitutes the main threat. The coming hours will be crucial to preventing nighttime flare-ups from turning into new fire fronts and to stop the blaze, already responsible for considerable destruction, from gaining ground again.