The Minister for the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, announced on Saturday during a briefing that the fire in Gironde had now been “contained” and was “no longer spreading”, marking a significant step forward in the fight against the fires ravaging the country.
Despite this good news, the minister stressed that the situation remained “tense” in France due to adverse weather conditions. Whilst the main fire front has been brought under control, “hotspots” and “active areas” persist, particularly south of Lacanau and across part of the Cap-Ferret peninsula, meaning that some residents are still unable to return home.
A year that was exceptional in its scale
According to figures from the Home Office, 119,000 hectares have been affected by wildfires since the start of the year, a situation described as “exceptional” by Laurent Nuñez. These fires have resulted in 14,320 separate fires or fire outbreaks, with activity remaining intense: as recently as Friday, 25 critical or high-risk fires were being managed by the emergency services.
The Gironde Fire Brigade, which have been heavily deployed since the start of the summer, have played a key role in bringing the fire under control. Their operations, combining ground and aerial resources, have helped to contain the spread of the flames and protect residential areas. National reinforcements, deployed in support, also contributed to this progress, demonstrating the coordination of resources in the face of large-scale disasters.
Remain vigilant in the face of ongoing risks
Although the fire in Gironde is now under control, the authorities are urging people to remain cautious. Weather conditions, characterised by high temperatures and at times strong winds, are keeping a high level of risk. Residents in the affected areas are advised to follow the safety instructions.
As the wildfire season is not yet over, the emergency services remain on alert to prevent further incidents and protect both natural areas and the public.