Key facts
- Thousands of tourists and residents were evacuated from campsites and homes in southern France due to wildfires.
- Blazes have burned thousands of hectares, exacerbated by heat waves, drought, and strong winds.
- Multiple fires broke out across southern France, with some areas placed on high alert.
- Injuries were reported among firefighters and civilians, and homes were destroyed.
- The fires are occurring earlier than usual, with officials attributing them to climate change.
Wildfires, fueled by successive heat waves and strong winds, have forced thousands of tourists and residents to evacuate campsites and homes in southern France. In the Gironde department, southwest of Bordeaux, over 12,000 people were evacuated as blazes burned 2,400 hectares in the Bassin d’Arcachon. Near the Dune du Pilat, an estimated 6,000 campers were evacuated, with an additional 200 people moved from motorhomes.
Elsewhere, in Landiras, 525 people were evacuated due to fires burning 800 hectares, while near La Teste-de-Buch, 700 hectares were scorched. Firefighters reported two injuries in the Landiras and La Teste-de-Buch areas, and a wildfire alert was issued for the Gironde department.
In the Pyrénées-Orientales department, near the Spanish border, approximately 1,700 holidaymakers were evacuated from three campsites near Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, and 1,500 workers were ordered to leave nearby businesses. A child, five adults, and six volunteer firefighters sustained minor injuries, and seven police officers were treated for smoke inhalation. The fire near Canet-en-Roussillon destroyed 281 homes before being extinguished.
These fires are occurring earlier than usual in the season, with officials attributing the severity to a combination of drought, heat, and strong winds, exacerbated by climate change. Temperatures reached 44C during a record-breaking heatwave, and wind speeds reached up to 70km/h. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez noted that France was a month ahead of its typical wildfire season, with 26 fires burning simultaneously on Thursday and six southern departments placed on the highest forest fire danger alert. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that 7,000 wildfires had been recorded since the season began, destroying 8,700 hectares. The heatwave has also been linked to a significant increase in excess deaths across France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.