France battles multiple wildfires as 60,000 evacuated; EU sends aircraft after two firefighters killed

Fires across southern France

Multiple wildfires are burning in southwestern and southeastern France, driven by temperatures approaching 40°C and wind gusts above 50 km/h. The most severe blaze, in the Landes de Gascogne forest near the Arcachon basin, started on the afternoon of 22 July and had consumed 3,400 hectares by Thursday evening. A second major fire on the Cap Ferret peninsula, 70 kilometres from Bordeaux, cut off land access and forced a large-scale evacuation by sea on Friday morning. A separate fire in the Var department, which began on 21 July, has burned 2,500 hectares but was described as stable by prefect Simon Fabre, allowing 400 evacuees to return home.

Evacuations and damage

Authorities ordered the preventive evacuation of more than 20,000 people from the Landes de Gascogne area on Thursday. On Friday, an additional 40,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from Cap Ferret, some by boat, as flames blocked road exits. No fatalities have been reported among civilians, but two firefighters have died while battling the blazes. Property damage has so far been limited: one isolated house destroyed, three others partially damaged, and one caravan burned, according to the latest official assessment.

The guards came knocking on every door. The fire was about 500 metres away. We're a bit scared and we can hardly believe it! It's surreal. When we bought here six years ago, we didn't think about the fire risk.

EU mobilises aid

France activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on Thursday evening. President Emmanuel Macron announced the incoming support on social media, listing two Canadair amphibious planes from Croatia, two Air Tractor planes from Portugal, and two Black Hawk heavy-lift helicopters from Czechia and Slovakia. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib confirmed the dispatch of three firefighting aircraft shortly after the request.

We will quickly be able to count on reinforcements of two Canadair amphibious planes from Croatia, two Portuguese Air Tractor planes, as well as two Black Hawk heavy transport helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Portugal's contribution

Portugal is sending two Fire Boss medium amphibious bombers and a seven-member team (two ANEPC representatives, three pilots, and two mechanics) to the Saumos area. The aircraft departed from Vila Real at 08:30 on Friday, with arrival at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport expected at 13:00 local time. A Portuguese Air Force C-130 from Montijo is providing logistical transport for personnel and maintenance equipment. The ANEPC stated that the deployment uses the rescEU reserve and does not compromise national operational capacity.

Wider European fire crisis

The Bordeaux fires are part of a broader southern European wildfire emergency. In Spain, a blaze in Guadalajara has been burning for a week and is now considered the country's second-largest fire this century, having scorched over 35,000 hectares. Firefighters have since stabilised it. In southern Italy, dozens of vegetation fires fanned by hot winds are causing damage, particularly in Sicily, where around 100 residents and 22 clinic patients were evacuated. The suspected cause of the Landes fire is accidental, linked to a brush-clearing machine; local authorities have banned all forest work using thermal engines in the Gironde department until further notice.