Gironde wildfires flare as France braces for 40C heatwave

Firefighters in France's Gironde region are racing to contain fresh flare-ups of wildfires that have already forced tens of thousands to evacuate, even as the country braces for its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C by Wednesday. The blazes, which have ravaged woodland between the Atlantic coast and Bordeaux for days, reignited in 14 previously burned areas on Tuesday, according to regional prefect Sophie Brocas. 'We are not in the clear,' she warned, as more than 2,000 firefighters remained deployed.

Renewed fire activity amid extreme heat

The new flare-ups come as the region prepares for scorching temperatures that could exacerbate fire conditions. Eric Brocardi, spokesman for the national firefighters' federation, compared the struggle to 'David against Goliath,' noting that four firefighters had died in recent weeks across France. The 2,000 personnel in Gironde are working around the clock to contain flames that have torn through the countryside. By Tuesday midday, firefighters were already intervening to tackle fires that had picked up again in various parts of the region. The challenges are mounting as the heatwave is expected to intensify, with similar temperatures forecast in Spain.

Threat to Bordeaux and air quality concerns

Although officials say Bordeaux is not currently under direct threat despite a fire that came within 15 kilometers of the city on Monday, Commander Rémi Lassoureille, leading the firefighting response, expressed anxiety. 'We are frightened about the impact on Bordeaux and the metropolitan area,' he said. Air quality in the city has deteriorated severely, with smoke and ash blanketing the area. A holidaymaker from Essex described conditions as 'really smoky,' with people staying indoors and wearing masks. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist urged those in affected areas to stay inside, saying the government was 'very vigilant' about air pollution.

Evacuations and community impact

More than 70,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the past week in the Gironde region alone. On Tuesday morning, the prefect ordered the evacuation of all campsites near the coast at Lacanau, affecting about 4,000 tourists. Those in nearby towns were told to prepare for sudden evacuation. This adds to the 220,000 people displaced across France in recent days. Some 240 homes and houses have been destroyed. In Bordeaux, the city has become eerily quiet. Graham White, president of the Bordeaux British Community, noted that shops, restaurants, and cafes were 'fairly empty,' though some brave souls sat outside on terraces despite the smoke. He cautioned that while the situation was significant, it was not akin to 'the next Great Fire of London.' The human toll is palpable; a firefighter received applause from diners as he walked through a market where restaurants were closing due to ash.

Looking ahead: A region on edge

As temperatures climb, firefighters face a daunting task. The fourth heatwave of the summer is expected to bring 40°C to the region, with no immediate relief in sight. Spanish authorities have begun lifting some evacuation orders, allowing around 44,000 people to return home, but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cautioned that 'highly challenging hours and days' remain, though light was appearing 'at the end of the tunnel.' In neighboring Portugal, 400 firefighters are battling a large fire in the eastern Guarda area. For France, the coming days will test the resilience of both firefighters and communities. Officials stress that the crisis is not over, and vigilance remains paramount.