A massive wildfire burning in southwest France has advanced to within about 15 kilometres of the historic city of Bordeaux, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 220,000 people as firefighters race to stop the flames from reaching the metropolitan area.
The blaze, which has already consumed vast stretches of forest in the Gironde department, is being driven by strong winds, extreme heat and prolonged drought. While officials reported that the fire remained “generally stable” overnight, they warned that rising temperatures could quickly worsen the situation.
More than 1,000 firefighters, backed by water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, are battling the fire along a front stretching roughly 20 kilometres.
Their priority is to prevent the flames from entering Bordeaux, the capital of France’s renowned wine-producing region and a major transport hub for tourists visiting the Atlantic coast.
Authorities have carried out door-to-door evacuations in communities surrounding Bordeaux, including areas close to the city’s airport.
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Hotels near the airport have been evacuated, although commercial flights continue to operate, with the airport also serving as a key base for firefighting operations.
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency crisis meeting as the scale of the disaster intensified, pledging government support for affected communities.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the situation as unprecedented, while local officials stressed that there are currently no plans to evacuate Bordeaux itself, though contingency plans remain in place should conditions deteriorate.
The wildfire has destroyed homes, blanketed surrounding communities in thick smoke and prompted strict restrictions across the Gironde region, including bans on activities that could ignite new fires.
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Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation orders as firefighters continue efforts to protect Bordeaux and surrounding towns.
