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Bordeaux Braces as Wildfire Threatens City Limits
27 Jul
Summary
- Bordeaux mayor prepares for potential city evacuations due to approaching wildfire.
- Gironde region faces unprecedented fire conditions, described as having 'a life of its own'.
- France reports 116,085 hectares burned this year, with 90% of fires human-caused.
The mayor of Bordeaux has announced preparations for "all eventualities" as a significant wildfire encroaches on the south-western city, now approximately 15km away. City officials are readying to accommodate potential evacuees should further orders be issued. The Gironde region's fire department is confronting an "unprecedented" situation, with the fire described as possessing independent momentum, further complicated by an anticipated heatwave.
More than 17,000 residents were evacuated from Cestas, a town south of Bordeaux, when the fire intensified. This affected region has already lost 42,000 hectares and seen 240 homes destroyed. Nationally, France is experiencing an "unprecedented fire season," with 116,085 hectares burned and 13,566 fire starts recorded since January.
Officials emphasize that nine out of ten fires are a result of human carelessness, such as discarded cigarettes or unattended barbecues, with some fires being deliberately set, leading to 162 arrests since July 6. President Emmanuel Macron is visiting affected areas to show support for the emergency responders.
Similar conditions are seen across Europe, with over 220,000 people evacuated in France and more than 100,000 in Spain. Fires also continue to burn in other French regions like Var, Landes, and Haute-Corse.
