The fires raging in the Gironde and Landes regions remained out of control Saturday morning. The death toll rose sharply overnight. Bruno Lafon, mayor of Biganos and president of the Arcachon Basin Intermunicipal Syndicate, indicated that the fire in Gironde had now spread "more than 30,000 hectares"In the Landes region, at least 2,600 hectares have been affected around Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born. More than 141,000 residents and vacationers have been evacuated since the start of the crisis, including approximately 110,000 in the Gironde department and 31,000 in the Landes. The flames approached the Bordeaux metropolitan area overnight, triggering further mass evacuations in several surrounding towns.
The Gironde region crosses the threshold of 30,000 hectares
The fire broke out on Wednesday, July 22nd, in Saumos, north of the Arcachon Basin. It spread rapidly through the pine forest towards Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, and Andernos-les-Bains. The flames' advance accelerated due to extremely dry vegetation and shifting winds. On Friday evening, the latest consolidated assessment indicated that approximately 19,000 hectares had burned. The estimate of over 30,000 hectares given Saturday morning by Bruno Lafon therefore reflects a considerable further expansion of the fire zone overnight. This figure remains provisional and will need to be refined after reconnaissance is carried out on the various fire fronts. The fire changed direction on Friday and moved eastward, towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area. Emergency services have prepared new firebreaks to prevent the flames from reaching the most urbanized areas. Smoke covered a large part of the urban area, severely reducing visibility and degrading air quality.
Seven new areas evacuated on the outskirts of Bordeaux
Following the mass evacuations of the Médoc and Arcachon Basin areas, further operations were launched overnight from Friday to Saturday. Residents of Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Martignas-sur-Jalle, and Saint-Jean-d'Illac were ordered to leave their homes as a precaution. Le Haillan was also evacuated. Similar instructions were given to areas of Mérignac and Eysines located outside the ring road. Residents were directed to Bordeaux, where reception centers were opened, notably at the exhibition center. These new evacuations are in addition to those of Saumos, Le Temple, Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, Andernos-les-Bains, Lanton, Audenge, Sainte-Hélène, Salaunes, and several neighborhoods in Lacanau. On the Cap-Ferret peninsula, several hundred people had to be transported by boat to Arcachon when road travel became too difficult. Approximately 110,000 people have now been evacuated in the Gironde department. This is one of the largest evacuation operations ever organized in France in response to a forest fire.
Around a hundred buildings destroyed in Gironde
At least 100 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged in the Gironde department. The damage includes homes, outbuildings, businesses, and tourist facilities. Reconnaissance has not yet been completed in all areas affected by the fires. No residents were killed or injured as of Friday evening. However, the toll is heavy among emergency responders. At least 42 firefighters were injured or affected by smoke inhalation, nine of whom were in stable condition. One firefighter was seriously injured after a gas cylinder exploded. Approximately 1 firefighters and 260 ground vehicles were deployed in Gironde. The aerial response includes Canadair water bombers, Dash 000s, Air Tractors, and water-bombing helicopters. Water drops, which were suspended overnight, are expected to resume as soon as visibility permits.
In the Landes region, 2,600 hectares and 105 buildings were affected.
The second major wildfire in southwestern France broke out on Thursday, July 23, around 3:45 p.m. on the RD652, between Biscarrosse and Sanguinet. A van caught fire on the road before the flames spread to the dry grass and then the pine forest. The fire has burned over 2,600 hectares around Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born. The fire is still not under control. Its spread has affected forested areas, residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and several tourist areas. At least 105 homes and buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Five firefighters sustained minor injuries or suffered smoke inhalation. No civilian deaths or injuries had been reported as of Friday evening. Evacuations initially affected the eastern and southern parts of Biscarrosse, then the town center, campgrounds, and several neighborhoods in Parentis-en-Born. The preventive evacuation of Parentis, which has nearly 8,000 inhabitants, brought the total to 31,000 displaced people in the Landes region.
One thousand soldiers mobilized and 1,5 million masks sent
In response to the scale of the two fires, 500 additional soldiers have been deployed to southwestern France. They join the 500 already on the ground, bringing the total number of troops in Gironde and Landes to approximately 1,000. Their mission is to support firefighters, secure evacuated towns and villages, control roads, transport equipment, and assist in organizing reception centers. Reinforcements from other departments and several European countries are also contributing to the deployment. A stockpile of 1,5 million FFP2 masks has also been sent to Gironde to protect emergency responders and residents exposed to smoke. The emergency response plan has been activated in healthcare facilities in Gironde and Landes to facilitate patient transfers and bolster hospital capacity.
Another day of very high tension
This Saturday, the two fires remain active on several fronts. In Gironde, the priority is to contain the fire's advance toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area and to protect the towns evacuated overnight. In Landes, firefighters are trying to protect Biscarrosse, Parentis-en-Born, and the inhabited areas still threatened. Evacuated residents must not attempt to return to their homes without authorization. Roads must remain clear for emergency services, and new outbreaks of fire must be prevented. With more than 30,000 hectares burned in Gironde, at least 2,600 in Landes, and 141,000 people evacuated, southwestern France is facing one of the most serious wildfire crises in its recent history.
