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220,000 evacuated as wildfire rages near Bordeaux, France

A huge wildfire in Gironde, southwest France, has burned 42,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of 220,000 people. Firefighters are racing to contain the blaze before a new heatwave pushing temperatures to 40C arrives this week.

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220,000 evacuated as wildfire rages near Bordeaux, France

220,000 evacuated as wildfire rages near Bordeaux, France

The short answer

Since mid-July, a wildfire in the Gironde region of southwest France has burned 42,000 hectares (roughly 104,000 acres), making it one of the largest fires in the country since World War II. Authorities have evacuated 220,000 people as the fire advanced erratically toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area, generating its own winds. Firefighters are in a 'race against time' to contain the blaze before temperatures rise to 40C from Wednesday, which could worsen conditions. A separate fire in the Landes region, which forced 30,000 to evacuate, has been declared contained but remains virulent.

Why it's trending

The wildfire's proximity to Bordeaux, the evacuation of 220,000 people, and the forecast of another heatwave pushing temperatures to 40C have triggered intense search interest in France and globally.

A massive wildfire in the Gironde region of southwest France has burned 42,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of 220,000 people, authorities said Monday. Firefighters described the blaze as 'extremely intense and unpredictable, generating its own winds and advancing erratically toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area,' according to interior minister Laurent Nuñez.

The fire, one of the largest in France since the second world war, has prompted a visit by President Emmanuel Macron, who warned that 'the coming weeks will be tough and we have to hold out.' Macron said a second fire in the Landes region was 'contained' but remained 'virulent,' after forcing more than 30,000 to evacuate.

European Union officials have warned that wildfires could burn until November in what threatens to be a record-breaking year for burned land. Firefighters are racing to create firebreaks, including by uprooting trees with mechanical diggers in the Cestas commune about 10 miles from Bordeaux, before temperatures rise again from Wednesday, potentially reaching 40C.

The coming days are 'absolutely critical,' said Spain's interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, as both France and Spain battle large fires. The situation underscores the growing impact of heatwaves linked to climate change, with experts warning that extreme fire seasons are becoming more frequent.

Timeline

  1. Wildfire ignites in Gironde, France

    A wildfire starts in the Gironde region near Bordeaux, rapidly spreading due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

  2. Fire expands; evacuations begin

    The fire grows to 42,000 hectares, forcing 220,000 people to evacuate. A separate fire in Landes forces 30,000 to flee but is later declared contained.

  3. Macron visits; officials warn of heatwave

    President Emmanuel Macron visits Bordeaux. Fire service spokesperson Eric Brocardi says firefighters are in a 'race against time' to control the blaze before temperatures reach 40C from Wednesday.

Questions people ask

How large is the Gironde wildfire?

It has burned 42,000 hectares (about 104,000 acres), making it one of the biggest in France since World War II.

How many people have been evacuated?

About 220,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde area, according to authorities.

Why is the fire so difficult to contain?

The fire is generating its own winds and advancing erratically. A forecast heatwave with temperatures up to 40C is expected to complicate firefighting efforts.

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