Almost 4,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from tourist sites along France's Atlantic coast as rising temperatures threaten to exacerbate devastating wildfires across the region.
On Monday (27 July), French President Emmanuel Macron declared the wildfire crisis to be the 'most difficult situation' the country has confronted since World War Two.
More than 260,000 people across south-western France have already been displaced from their homes, with nearly 4,000 new evacuations deepening the unprecedented emergency.
The total area burned has reached over 42,000 hectares - equivalent to four times the footprint of Paris. The emergency has resulted in two firefighter fatalities, while 88 others have sustained injuries.
Fire Containment Efforts
Firefighters managed to bring flare-ups near coastal dunes under control overnight. The burned area has remained unchanged at 420 square kilometres (162 square miles), thanks to their efforts.
Authorities described the Gironde fire as stabilised, not fixed - meaning it could still spread again as temperatures rose and humidity fell.
The precautionary evacuation order issued on Tuesday morning (28 July) covers campsites, holiday villages, tourist residences and leisure parks around the resort of Lacanau, including Lacanau Ocean and both shores of Lacanau lake, Gironde regional authorities said.
Officials Warn of Fragility
"We are at a point of fragility," Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for France’s national firefighters federation, told BFMTV on Tuesday. "We will continue attacking this fire despite the forecast rise in temperatures."
Although the fire's advance has been halted, officials have repeatedly cautioned that smouldering vegetation and falling humidity could trigger fresh outbreaks.
Firefighters and military engineers resumed work early this morning on tactical firebreaks designed to prevent the flames from spreading. Authorities said 103 kilometres (64 miles) of barriers have been created.
Weather and Landes Fire Update
An update from France’s national weather service has sparked fresh fears, as Gironde falls under a yellow heat warning from midday. Inland temperatures of 33 to 35C are forecast. South-east winds were expected across the area, with westerly sea breezes along the coast.
The containment of a separate wildfire in Landes has offered hope, as around 30,000 residents and tourists who were evacuated last week began returning home on Tuesday morning. President Macron confirmed on Monday that the Landes fire had been contained.
Advice from the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) to Brits caught up in the wildfires is to follow instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times, and call 112 if you need emergency help.
