Forest Fires Near Bordeaux: Firefighters Report Stabilization, but New Heatwave Raises Concerns

According to preliminary estimates, approximately 42,000 hectares of forest and scrubland have been destroyed in the Bordeaux region. That corresponds to around 420 square kilometers, roughly the area of the Swiss canton of Obwalden. Since Wednesday, more than 220,000 people have been brought to safety in the holiday region on the Atlantic coast. In recent days, 15,000 evacuees have already been able to return to their homes.

Residents of three preemptively evacuated localities that have so far been spared by the flames are permitted to return to their homes under certain conditions. They must keep their mobile phones switched on and remain reachable in case of a renewed evacuation. On Monday, firefighters cleared firebreaks in the forest at numerous points to prevent further spread.

New Heatwave Concerns Emergency Services

The fire had advanced to within around 15 kilometers of the major city of Bordeaux. As ZDF reporter Martin Niessen reported, the air in the center of Bordeaux is no longer as smoky as before. Nevertheless, the threat from the new heatwave remains significant.

Météo France is warning of an increasing risk of forest fires. From Wednesday onward, temperatures well above 30 degrees are expected again in both Spain and France. With approximately 100,000 hectares burned since the beginning of the year, France is experiencing a historic record high. On Tuesday, more than 1,000 firefighters were also deployed in Cap Ferret in the region, supported by nine firefighting aircraft and two firefighting helicopters in southwestern France.

Concern over a renewed intensification is high. The French weather service Météo France is warning of an increase in forest fire risk. A new heatwave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius has begun in France and could cause the already contained fires to flare up again due to dryness and wind.

International Assistance from Switzerland

Switzerland is supporting the firefighting efforts in France with personnel and equipment. As early as Saturday, 34 firefighters with fire engines had set off from Geneva to Bordeaux. According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), their deployment is scheduled to last until August 1. On Tuesday morning, Switzerland also sent three Super Puma army helicopters for forest firefighting to the island of Corsica, together with twenty firefighting specialists.

While the situation in Bordeaux fluctuates between stabilization and new threats, Spain is also battling an unprecedented fire disaster. In the province of Ávila, west of Madrid, and the neighboring regions of Madrid and Toledo, the flames are devastating vast tracts of land. The fire in Ávila, with nearly 50,000 hectares destroyed, is, according to preliminary official estimates, the largest forest fire in Spain's recent history since records began in 1968.

Spain: Largest Forest Fire in Recent History

In total, the fires in Spain have destroyed around 80,000 hectares of forest and scrubland in the province of Ávila, the region of Madrid, and the region of Toledo. In the eastern province of Castellón, the fires are also still burning; in the Vall d'Uixó area, around 10,000 hectares have burned, and approximately 16,000 people were evacuated, many of whom have since been able to return.

According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the spread of the fires around Madrid has slowed significantly since the weekend. On Tuesday evening, residents of 15 localities were allowed to return to their homes, and curfews were lifted in six further localities. A total of around 34,000 people are benefiting from this. Originally, around 90,000 people in and around the Spanish capital were affected by evacuations or curfews.

Easing of Protective Measures in Spain

King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited an emergency shelter near Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said following a meeting of the crisis committee in Madrid: «Wir sehen Licht am Ende des Tunnels». At the same time, the Spanish weather service Aemet announced the start of the fourth heatwave of the summer, expected to last at least until Sunday, with temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius and decreasing humidity.

In southern France, in the Var département, emergency services have also been deployed since Wednesday. In Fox-Amphoux near Pontevès, firefighters and rescue services had to respond, while the situation in Bordeaux balances on a knife-edge between stabilization and renewed escalation.

Economic Consequences and Tourism

The economic consequences are severe. Patrick Seguin, president of the Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), stated: «Das ist ein schwerer Schlag – der Tourismus ist komplett zum Erliegen gekommen, die Saison ist vorbei». Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon also warned: «Wir bitten die Französinnen und Franzosen eindringlich, sich nicht in die Gironde zu begeben, solange das Feuer noch nicht unter Kontrolle ist».

The prefect of Bordeaux partially lifted the appeal to tourists, stating that holidays are possible in the northern part of the Gironde département. In the south, however, tourists must avoid fire zones and be prepared for possible evacuations. The images from the fire zones are often apocalyptic: houses destroyed, roofs collapsed, windows shattered, the landscape devastated. More than 110 firefighters have been injured during operations so far.