The Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, typically a peaceful destination known for its beaches and restaurants, experienced a dramatic turn on Wednesday. A significant wildfire broke out near Saumos, rapidly spreading through the dry pine forests of the Gironde region. Fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions, the fire consumed approximately 3,400 hectares of woodland by Thursday, an area comparable to Gibraltar.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of over 20,000 people, including tourists and residents from campsites and holiday parks. Many described the suddenness of the evacuation, with some recalling police knocking on doors to alert them. "It's a bit scary," said local resident Patrick Martineau. "When we bought a home here, we never thought there would be a fire risk."
Firefighters, numbering between 700 and 800, along with water-dropping aircraft, worked to contain the blaze. Investigators suspect a piece of machinery used for clearing land may have accidentally started the fire. French President Emmanuel Macron requested international assistance through the European Union's disaster response framework, securing aerial support from countries like Croatia and Portugal.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather in France. The country has faced multiple heatwaves since May 2026, leading to thousands of excess deaths. Scientists attribute these increasingly severe weather events, including wildfires, to global warming caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The Gironde region's woodlands were significantly drier this year than during the major fires of 2022. The crisis highlights the growing threat of climate change to natural landscapes and communities.