Wildfire in southwest France forces mass evacuation as authorities report 308 detentions nationwide
A major wildfire in southwest France has forced thousands of residents and holidaymakers to flee, with local authorities reporting at least 12,000 people evacuated from the area near Bordeaux. The fire, which began on 22 July, has burned thousands of hectares of pine forest and damaged dozens of homes, as firefighters battle the blaze amid a heatwave and exceptional drought conditions.
Coverage comparison
Reports from multiple outlets provide varying details on the scale of the evacuation and fire spread. Africa News reported that the fire scorched 8,700 hectares and damaged 80 homes, with 50 destroyed. Al Jazeera said more than 20,000 residents and holidaymakers had been forced to flee, with about 800 firefighters battling the flames west of Bordeaux. France 24 reported that over 10,000 tourists had evacuated camping sites and other holiday accommodation, while RFI noted that 7,000 people were evacuated on Thursday, bringing the total to 12,000.
The discrepancies in figures likely reflect different reporting times and evolving conditions. The fire, which started near the village of Saumos, spread rapidly through dense pine forest towards Lège-Cap-Ferret, a popular summer destination on the Atlantic coast. By Friday, the blaze had scorched around 8,700 hectares, according to reports. Firefighting efforts involved hundreds of firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft, including aircraft deployed by the European Union after France requested assistance.
Key claims
Authorities have confirmed that about 80 homes were damaged, with around 50 destroyed, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who added that no fatalities had been reported. The fire forced the evacuation of the entire Cap Ferret peninsula, with residents and campers moved village by village as flames advanced. Mayor Philippe de Gonneville said 5,300 people were evacuated overnight alone, while a separate report mentioned six campsites and a naturist residential estate were affected.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with some officials suggesting it may have been sparked by a brush-clearing machine. Mayor Martial Zaninetti of Le Porge said a cleaning machine on a forest track could have been responsible, but this has not been confirmed by local authorities. Preliminary investigations suggest the largest fires in France this season were accidental in origin, according to reports. One fire near Bordeaux may have been caused by brush-clearing work beneath a power line, while a fire in the Landes region was ignited by a vehicle fire, and a fire at Fontainebleau forest was reportedly sparked by repair work on a motorway guardrail.
Beyond the Bordeaux blaze, France has experienced an exceptionally active wildfire season. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said more than 12,500 fires have broken out since the start of the year, burning over 44,000 hectares – more than in 2022, when blazes devastated southwest France. In a separate development, Nuñez announced on 31 July that 308 people had been detained across France as part of investigations into the recent wave of wildfires, with two-thirds of them suspected of deliberate arson. Of those, 33 individuals have been incarcerated, either in pre-trial detention or already convicted. Nuñez noted that nine out of ten fires are caused by human activity, with lightning accounting for a significant proportion of the remaining 10 percent.
The wildfires have been exacerbated by repeated heatwaves and severe drought linked to climate change, which scientists say is intensifying conditions across Europe. France has experienced three heatwaves since May, causing excess deaths, drying up rivers, and fueling wildfires. The 2026 wildfire season has begun earlier than usual, according to officials.
As the fire near Bordeaux stabilised, some evacuees began returning home. Firefighters continued to work to protect threatened communities, with access to the peninsula restricted to emergency personnel. The firefighting effort has been supported by hundreds of gendarmes and soldiers, as well as water-bombing aircraft. The situation remains dynamic, but no casualties have been reported so far, and authorities are optimistic about gaining control of the blaze.