Over 20,000 evacuated in southwestern France, massive flames fueled by rising temperatures

More than 20,000 residents and vacationers have been forced to evacuate the Gironde region in southwestern France, as powerful fires engulf the area and weather conditions with high temperatures and strong winds keep the situation out of control.

According to French authorities, about 12,000 people have already been relocated from threatened areas, while the operation to evacuate another 8,800 is ongoing. So far, the flames have scorched approximately 3,100 hectares of land near the Arcachon Bay.

Most of the evacuees are vacationers who were staying at campsites on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, while preventive measures have also been taken in the village of Claouey. Prefect Sophie Brocas reported that no injuries have been reported, but several roads and forest areas have been closed for safety reasons.

The head of Gironde’s firefighters, Marc Vermeulen, stressed that crews worked non-stop overnight, but warned that the fire’s predictability is low due to rising temperatures and shifting wind directions.

The events have also resulted in loss of life. Two firefighters died earlier in the week while battling another fire near Bordeaux airport, as French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed condolences to the families and honored their sacrifice.

Other southern European countries are also facing major fires. In Italy, a firefighter was killed during an operation in Sicily, where over 350 fires have been recorded and investigators suspect that most of them were caused by humans.

Spain is experiencing extreme temperatures and devastating fires. Near Toledo, about 890 hectares have burned, while in the Guadalajara region, the flames have engulfed over 35,000 hectares, making it the country’s largest wildfire of the year.

According to a report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe continues to be the continent warming at the fastest rate in the world, with over 95% of its territory recording above-average temperatures during 2025. Prolonged heatwaves are creating favorable conditions for the spread of fires in many parts of the continent.