Wildfires fear over Bordeaux: 9‑mile threat sparks evacuation plans

The mayor of Bordeaux, Thomas Cazenave, warns the city to “brace for all eventualities” as a wildfire draws near the French border, just 15 km (nine miles) away.

The blaze, described by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez as an “unprecedented situation” with a life of its own, has forced the evacuation of around 220,000 people in France and more than 100,000 in Spain. Spanish towns have been hit by intense fires that turned villages into a “car cemetery.”

Co‑incidentally, a second heatwave hit the region, further hampering firefighting efforts. In Cestas, 17,000 residents were evacuated when the fire swelled two days ago, damaging 42,000 hectares of land and destroying 240 houses.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu notes that the country is experiencing an “unprecedented fire season.” Since January, 116,085 hectares have burned, with 13,566 fire starts recorded. Nine out of ten fires are human‑caused, often from carelessness such as unattended cigarettes or barbecues. Since 6 July, 162 arrests have been made for deliberate arson.

President Emmanuel Macron has visited heavily damaged areas in Gironde to support firefighters. Wildfires have also erupted in Var, Landes, and Corrèze, putting more cities at risk.

Experts say climate change is accelerating Europe’s warming—twice the global average—leading to harsher summer heatwaves, stressed water supplies, and more intense wildfires.