Gironde wildfires pick up as French region braces for new 40C heatwave
Firefighters are braced for a sharp rise in temperatures on Wednesday, which could complicate the containment of wildfires.
Wildfires in France's Gironde region are intensifying as the area prepares for a new heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 40C. Firefighters are working tirelessly to control the blazes.
Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for the national firefighters' federation, described the situation as "David against Goliath." He reported that four of his colleagues had died across France in recent weeks, and 2,000 firefighters have been deployed to the Gironde to combat the flames that have ravaged the countryside between the coast and Bordeaux for days.
A local official warned that "weather conditions were unfavourable," with the fourth heatwave of the summer anticipated to begin by Wednesday, bringing temperatures in the area to 40C.
Officials state that Bordeaux, with a population of 260,000, is not currently in danger. However, Commander Rémi Lassoureille, who is leading the firefighting efforts in the Gironde, expressed concern about the western edge of the wildfire. "We are frightened about the impact on Bordeaux and the metropolitan area," he said.
On Monday, one of the wildfires was burning 15km (9 miles) from the outskirts of Bordeaux, where air quality has significantly worsened in recent days. A holidaymaker from Essex told the BBC that by Sunday evening, the area had "really begun to empty out," with "really smoky" air and ash. She described the atmosphere as "eerie, and very sad," with people staying indoors. She added that most residents and tourists were wearing masks, and the smell of smoke lingered on clothes for days. She also mentioned that a firefighter received "a round of applause" in Marché Chartrons square, where restaurants were closing due to ash in the air.
Graham White, president of the Bordeaux British Community, noted that "The city has been very quiet," with "shops, restaurants and cafes... fairly empty." He found it "interesting" that on Sunday, despite the smoke, "there were people brave enough to sit outside on terraces." White, who has lived in the area for several years, called this event "something significant" and unprecedented. He also clarified that some news reports suggesting the situation in Bordeaux was "akin to being the next Great Fire of London" were inaccurate.
President Emmanuel Macron, who visited the fire-ravaged Gironde region on Monday, stated that the country is facing a "completely unprecedented wildfire... the toughest since World War Two." Health Minister Stéphanie Rist emphasized that the government is "very vigilant" regarding air pollution and urged people in affected areas to remain indoors.
On Tuesday morning, the Gironde prefect ordered a new evacuation of all campsites near the coast at Lacanau. Residents in the nearby town were allowed to stay but were advised to prepare for sudden evacuation. Approximately 4,000 tourists have been told to leave the area, in addition to the 220,000 people evacuated across France in recent days. Officials estimate that 240 homes and houses have been destroyed. By midday on Tuesday, firefighters were already responding to new fires flaring up in various parts of the region.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting a fire in the Var region and faces 15 years' imprisonment.
Peggy Plouhinec, general director of Château Picque Caillou, a wine estate on the west side of Bordeaux, told the BBC that her business closed over the weekend due to smoke, but the situation has since improved, aided by rain on Sunday night. While her vineyards are not at risk, she noted that tourists have "deserted" the region. "The hospitality sector will be impacted this summer, that's for sure," she said, adding, "What is happening is unprecedented. We're lucky that we haven't been too affected yet, but the business will still suffer from the lower numbers of tourists." She also expressed concern for "many people [who] have lost their homes or their businesses, not to mention the firefighters who have been hard at work for weeks now and who must be exhausted."
A resident of Cap Ferret, evacuated late last week, told French media that his primary concern was for the peninsula where he lives, rather than Bordeaux. He questioned, "Everyone talks about saving Bordeaux, but in Bordeaux there's nothing but concrete. Have you ever seen concrete burn?" He added, "Here, there are only trees... and when you see all that has burned, it's a catastrophe."