French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula in south-west France as firefighters continue battling France wildfires that have burned through thousands of hectares in the Gironde region. Hundreds of holidaymakers were evacuated by boat across the Bay of Arcachon on Friday morning, with officials warning that the fire situation remains critical days after the blaze began, according to a report by BBC News.
Authorities have urged residents and tourists to leave the affected areas, while firefighters and emergency teams continue efforts to contain the rapidly spreading flames.
The wildfire, which started on Tuesday in Saumos, has continued burning overnight and has consumed roughly 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres), according to regional officials. Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas ordered what she described as the “final phase” of the peninsula evacuation early Friday, with residents and visitors directed to leave either by the main D106 road toward Bordeaux or by boat from four piers between 07:00 and 10:00 local time. Further official updates on the regional response can be found via the Gironde prefecture.
The evacuation follows a broader emergency response across the region. Around 20,000 people were evacuated from the Gironde area on Thursday, many of them tourists staying at campsites on the peninsula. Further evacuations took place overnight from La Porge, which Brocas said had proceeded “calmly.” She added that homes in evacuated zones would be monitored to prevent vandalism while residents are away.
Separately, another major wildfire broke out on Thursday afternoon near the Atlantic coastal town of Biscarrosse in France’s Landes region, prompting the evacuation of more than 23,000 people. About 18,000 residents were evacuated from Biscarrosse itself and 5,000 from nearby Parentis-en-Born, with evacuation orders extending to homes, campsites, a nursing home and a summer camp. A regional update on Friday morning said the centre of Biscarrosse was currently being cleared.
The human toll of the crisis has already been significant. Two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling a blaze near Bordeaux airport, though no further casualties have been reported since. Authorities said “significant resources” remain deployed on the ground, with additional ground and air reinforcements expected in the coming hours. The public has been told to stay away from the affected areas.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the France wildfires situation as “very tense,” particularly in the Gironde region, in remarks made Thursday night. He said he had requested assistance from the European Union, and that support in the form of firefighting aircraft would soon arrive from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Firefighting operations across south-west France are expected to continue into the weekend as crews work to bring the Gironde and Landes blazes under control. No timeline has been given for when evacuated residents will be able to return home.
In a related development, neighbouring Spain has also declared a national emergency as wildfires burn out of control in areas close to Madrid, with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirming blazes at Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Burgohondo in Ávila province. Officials said the fires’ progression had been “limited” in recent hours, though some areas, including Aldea del Fresno, have been evacuated as a precaution.
In a related development, neighbouring Spain has also declared a national emergency as wildfires burn out of control in areas close to Madrid, with Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska confirming blazes at Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Burgohondo in Ávila province. Officials said the fires’ progression had been “limited” in recent hours, though some areas, including Aldea del Fresno, have been evacuated as a precaution.
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