The threat is getting closer to the Bordeaux metropolitan area. On Friday evening, the prefect of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Gironde, Sophie Brocas, announced that the fire that started in Saumos was now progressing eastward, due to particularly unfavorable weather conditions.
A strong westerly wind is pushing the flames towards Bordeaux
"The fire is currently being driven by a sustained westerly wind and is heading towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area.""This change of direction places the sectors located between the fire front and the west of the urban area under increased surveillance," said Sophie Brocas.
Smoke had already reached Bordeaux by evening, plunging several neighborhoods into a dark, particle-laden atmosphere. The presence of this vast cloud did not yet mean that the flames had reached the city, but it did attest to the intensity of the blaze and the new direction of the winds.
14,000 hectares affected and 110,000 evacuations
The latest figures released Friday evening indicate that 14,000 hectares of forest have been ravaged by flames in the Gironde region. In total, 110,000 people have had to leave their homes, vacation rentals, or campsites since the start of the fire.
The fire broke out on Wednesday in Saumos, in the Médoc region, before spreading rapidly towards the Arcachon Basin and the Cap-Ferret peninsula. The towns of Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, Andernos-les-Bains, and several areas of Lacanau were among those evacuated.
At least 53 houses and a campsite were destroyed. No residents were reported injured in the midday report, but 42 firefighters were injured during the operations, nine of whom sustained minor injuries.
Saint Helena, Salaunes and Lanton evacuated
Faced with the advancing front, the prefect ordered the precautionary evacuation of Sainte-Hélène, Salaunes, and Lanton on Friday evening. Approximately 11,700 residents are affected by these new measures.
Sainte-Hélène and Salaunes are located on the route leading west of the Bordeaux metropolitan area, near Saint-Médard-en-Jalles. Authorities are asking residents not to wait for the flames to arrive, to follow the designated routes, and not to return to evacuated areas without authorization.
National, military and medical reinforcements
Sophie Brocas announced that the Gironde region would benefit from "extremely significant national reinforcements"Additional firefighters, military personnel, medical staff and experts are expected to join the already deployed team.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has requested the requisition of military resources to support the rescue efforts. An interministerial crisis unit, including representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, the Armed Forces, Health, Transport, and the Environment, was also convened on Friday at 22 p.m.
Air and ground resources continue their efforts, but shifting winds, dry vegetation, and the risk of strong gusts are significantly complicating the firefighting efforts. Authorities are particularly concerned that the forecasted thunderstorms could trigger gusts capable of rapidly intensifying the fire or igniting new blazes.
A decisive night on the outskirts of the metropolis
The priority now remains protecting people in the path of the blaze and defending inhabited areas. Evacuations could be further expanded if the wind continues to push the flames eastward.
After ravaging the Médoc region and threatening the Arcachon Basin, the fire is now approaching much more densely populated areas. Throughout the night, firefighters will try to slow its advance before it reaches the first towns in the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
