- About 20,000 people were evacuated from towns and vacation resorts along the French Atlantic coast as a wildfire raged near Lège-Cap Ferret.
- The fire spread over 31 square kilometers near the town of Lège-Cap Ferret, with no injuries reported.
- Some 700 firefighters were deployed, including forces from Paris, and water bombers were used as the fire came within 300 meters of homes in Lège.
- The wildfire was not yet under control but remained contained to the north of Lège.
- More than 10,000 tourists and 1,000 residents were moved to safety overnight; later, the village of Claouey was evacuated as a precaution.
- Prefect Sophie Brocas said the evacuation involved 8,800 people.
- Several municipalities opened reception and respite centers for evacuees.
- Scientists warn climate change is exacerbating heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. In 2026, over 12,500 wildfires have broken out in France, burning 44,000 hectares.
About 20,000 people were evacuated from towns and vacation resorts along the French Atlantic coast as wildfires spread near Lège-Cap Ferret, southwest of Bordeaux. The fire has consumed over 31 square kilometers (12 square miles), prompting the deployment of 700 firefighters and water bombers to combat the blaze.1234
Local authorities reported that the fire came within 300 meters (980 feet) of homes in Lège, with evacuation efforts including more than 10,000 tourists and over 1,000 residents from nearby residential areas. The prefect of the Gironde region, Sophie Brocas, confirmed that the evacuation involved 8,800 people from the village of Claouey and surrounding campsites as a precautionary measure.678
Despite the efforts, the wildfire remains uncontrolled but contained to the north of Lège. Several municipalities have opened reception and respite centers for evacuees. This summer, southern Europe has faced multiple large fires, with scientists warning that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires.9101112
According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, more than 12,500 wildfires have broken out since the beginning of the year, burning almost 44,000 hectares of land amid record temperatures and dry weather.
“About 20,000 people were evacuated from towns and vacation resorts along the French Atlantic coast as the fire spread over 31 square kilometers near Lège-Cap Ferret. Prefect Sophie Brocas said some 700 firefighters have been deployed and the blaze was not yet under control but remained contained to the north.”
