Wildfire devastates Biscarrosse: 2,500 hectares burned, 18,000 evacuated as flames threaten French Atlantic coast town

Fire origin and rapid spread

The fire started on 23 July around 4 p.m. when a broken-down van caught fire near Biscarrosse, in the Landes department of southwestern France. The flames instantly ignited the dry pine vegetation of the Landes de Gascogne forest. Colonel Arnaud Fabre, director of the Landes fire and rescue service (SDIS 40), said the fire began "very violently around 4 p.m." By 7 p.m., 200 hectares had burned. Within hours, the fire had jumped across clearings, creating multiple fronts. Colonel Romain Moutard, deputy director of SDIS 40, described an "apocalyptic fire" and a "Dantesque situation" with fire jumps that "created almost a separate fire each time." At midnight, the prefecture reported more than 1,000 hectares burned and the situation remained "very unfavorable" due to turning winds.

Evacuations and human impact

Authorities ordered the evacuation of 9,000 people on Thursday evening, a number that grew to 18,000 by the night of 23-24 July. The entire town of Biscarrosse-Bourg was emptied, including 6,000 residents and 3,000 vacationers from four campsites in neighboring Parentis-en-Born: Calède, Les cottages, le Pison, and le Pipiou. Evacuees gathered at the Arcanson cultural center, where mattresses were laid out, and at municipal halls in Parentis-en-Born.

I saw walls of flame coming.

Patricia, a resident of over 40 years, compared it to the 2022 Landiras fire: "At the time, we saw a little smoke from here, but this is nothing like it. What I see in front of me scares me." Residents of a retirement home had to wait until Friday morning for medical transport.

Firefighting efforts

Some 300 firefighters from Landes and neighboring departments were deployed, supported by aerial assets including two Canadair water bombers, a Dash aircraft, and a Dragon 64 helicopter drawing water from the nearby lake. Captain Philippe Torres, a firefighter from Gard, explained the strategy.

Our mission is to protect the homes here. The fire is right behind. So for now, the homes are saved. And then we'll change location and protect, and so on.

Prefect Gilles Clavreul called it "a long-haul fight" after a night of coordinating operations and evacuations.

Solidarity at Biscarrosse-Plage

As Biscarrosse-Bourg burned, the seaside resort of Biscarrosse-Plage became a refuge. Restaurateur Sylvain Girard, himself evacuated, opened his second establishment, L'Esprit Gourmet, at 3 a.m., offering free coffee, croissants, water, and toilets. Neighbors brought crates of fruit. Carole, owner of the bar-tabac Le Crapaud qui fume, found 80 people on her terrace at 7 a.m. and spent the morning baking pastries. The town hall set up eight reception points staffed by 60 lifeguards, providing first aid, medicine resupply, and accommodation offers. Beaches were closed. A QR code was launched to coordinate solidarity initiatives.

Damage and ongoing threat

By Friday morning, the fire had consumed more than 2,500 hectares of pine forest. Around 100 buildings were destroyed, including a Jardi Leclerc store, an industrial zone, and isolated homes. The fire was still progressing on 24 July, with flames threatening remaining structures. Firefighters continued to defend homes as the blaze advanced.