12,000 evacuated as wildfire rages through Gironde's Landes forest, consuming 2,000 hectares

Fire progression

The fire broke out on Wednesday 22 July near Saumos, north of the Arcachon basin in Gironde. By evening it had consumed 600 hectares. Overnight, strong winds and dry conditions drove rapid growth, and by Thursday morning the blaze had scorched over 2,000 hectares (2,050 according to firefighters) and stretched across 15 kilometres. The prefecture described the situation as "unfavourable" and the fire director Marc Vermeulen said it was a "convective fire, going in all directions". A rare fire tornado was filmed at the heart of the blaze.

Mass evacuations

Authorities ordered preventive evacuations throughout the night. Initially 4,600 people were moved, and by Thursday morning an additional 7,000 were told to leave, bringing the total to around 12,000. The order covered six campsites and a naturist residential area north of Cap Ferret, a popular summer destination. Nine communes opened reception centres, and over 2,500 people took shelter there. Residents described scenes of panic and heartbreak.

We were told to take a few things, our cars and leave the village via forest tracks to Lacanau. It's the holidays for many around me and we're all wondering what's happening to us... It's heartbreaking when you see the devastated landscape and realise the extent of the disaster.

There was this red glow... We could see the flames in the distance from the town centre: the flames rose very, very high. It's very anxiety-inducing, obviously we're worried about our homes... It really came very close to the houses.

A resident who has lived through previous fires said, "We had the same thing 3-4 years ago. We're a bit more prepared than before, even if you're never ready." Another added, "The children are scared. We've never experienced this here. Now it's at our doorstep. So yes, it hits you."

Firefighter response

Around 500 firefighters and 150 vehicles were deployed, supported by two Dash aircraft, two Canadair water bombers and four Air Tractor planes. Reinforcements were expected. Overnight, crews carried out "tactical fire" operations along the edges to deprive the flames of fuel. Prefect Sophie Brocas urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.

There is no immediate danger but it must be done now.

No casualties have been reported from this fire so far.

Broader European context

The Gironde blaze is part of a wave of wildfires across southern Europe. In France's Var department, another fire that started Tuesday has burned 2,500 hectares and forced 400 evacuations. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said over 12,500 fire starts have been recorded this year, with 44,000 hectares already burned, surpassing the 2022 total. Two firefighters died on Tuesday battling a blaze near Bordeaux airport. In Italy, a firefighter was killed Wednesday in Sicily, where temperatures exceeded 40°C and 50 fires were still active out of 344 reported. An international team of scientists linked the extreme conditions to human-caused climate change.

Cause and prevention

The mayor of Le Porge, Martial Zaninetti, said the fire may have been triggered by a brush-clearing machine. The gendarmerie is investigating an "accidental" cause, though it remains unconfirmed. In response, the prefect banned all forest works using thermal engines across the department while it remains under red alert for wildfires.