The situation regarding the forest fires in Nouvelle-Aquitaine remains mixed this Monday, with good news in the Landes, where the fire has now been ‘contained’, whilst the Gironde continues to face a “raging” fire that has already ravaged more than 40,000 hectares and destroyed 240 homes. Emmanuel Macron visited the scene to commend the efforts of the emergency services and to warn of the coming days, which are set to see the return of the heatwave.
A fire has been brought under control in the Landes; 8,000 people have been allowed to return home
The fire that broke out on Thursday near Biscarrosse, in the Landes region, is now under control. “The fire has been contained, which is good news for the Landes region,” announced the President of the Republic from the crisis centre at the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operations Centre (CODIS) from Bordeaux. In total, 3,600 hectares were engulfed in flames, and 198 buildings were destroyed. Thanks to the determined efforts of the fire brigade and the reinforcements mobilised, 8,000 of the 30,000 people who had been evacuated were able to return to their homes.
Firefighters from the Landes region, supported by national and European resources, have been carrying out back-fire operations and monitoring the edges of the fire to prevent it from reigniting. Their meticulous work, combined with temporarily more favourable weather conditions, has enabled the fire to be brought under control, although vigilance remains essential.
In Gironde, a fire is still burning and the next few days will be critical
In Gironde, the situation remains tense. The fire, which has been raging since Wednesday, has already consumed more than 40,000 hectares and destroyed 240 homes. “It has been brought under control, but it remains fierce,” said Emmanuel Macron, stressing the need for “extreme caution over the coming hours and days”, with the return of the heatwave now forecast. High temperatures and strong winds could indeed fan the embers and cause the flames to reignite.
More than 1,700 firefighters, supported by reinforcements from across France and several European countries, have been mobilised on the ground. They are working tirelessly to protect residential areas, contain the spread of the fire and secure the areas already affected. Aerial resources, including Canadair and Dash aircraft, are also being deployed to drop water on the active fire fronts and limit the spread of the blaze. Despite their dedication, two firefighters lost their lives last Tuesday whilst battling the flames – a tragedy that serves as a stark reminder of the dangers these men and women face.
A message of support for the forces on the ground
Emmanuel Macron was keen to express his gratitude to the emergency services, broadcasting a radio message “to all those fighting the fires in Gironde”. “You have the support of the entire nation. We are with you, and resources will continue to be deployed from all over France,” he said, also praising the efforts of elected representatives, civil protection services, the military, the police, the gendarmerie, healthcare workers and volunteers. The President also paid tribute to the two firefighters who lost their lives, highlighting their sacrifice.
Faced with the scale of the damage, Emmanuel Macron emphasised the need to “replant and rebuild a different kind of forest”, one adapted to the new realities of climate change and population pressure. “The coming weeks will be tough and we must persevere,” he added, calling for unity and solidarity to tackle this “entirely unprecedented” fire.
Increased vigilance as the heatwave returns
The coming days are set to be critical, with the return of scorching temperatures and an increased risk of fires reigniting. The authorities are urging the public to exercise the utmost caution, in particular by avoiding any risky behaviour that could cause a fire to start. It is also recommended that you check the weather watch map and to follow the instructions given by the emergency services. If you see smoke or a fire breaking out, it is essential to report the situation immediately to the emergency services.
To track the progress of the fires in real time, visit our map of current fires.