The fires are still burning, though it seems to be slowing and the wind has changed direction so my part of SW France is getting some fresh air for a couple days. I’ve received so many kind and thoughtful messages and emails, calls and requests to speak about the fires, that I wanted to post here to thank you. First, to thank everyone for your concern. It’s hard to even put into words, but knowing you’re thinking of us helps.
FACTS OF TODAY, Wednesday, JULY 29th, 2026.
Over 42,000 hectares or 162 square miles have currently burned in SW France. This is mainly starting from La Porge and into Cap Ferret in Gironde, now more Eastern towards Bordeaux, and South to Biscarosse in the Landes. They are still investigating the main reasons these fires started. We have been in a draught for most of the summer, so the grasses and bushes are all dry. Our well is empty and streams have evaporated. Temperatures are over 30C / 87F most days. We’ve had no rain. Winds started blowing harded the day after the fires started. So, on a natural level, everything was set for a potential fire. We also experienced all of these factors a few years ago and it felt all to familiar. We had horrible fires in 2022 when 32,000 hectares burned in Gironde.
On a human level, there seem to be multiple unintentional causes for the start of the fires. No doubt we will see, as in 2022, there were some intentional human causes as well.
AS THE FIRES STAND TODAY
Over 150 people have lost their homes and nearly 200,000 of residents and tourists in Gironde were displaced. Some have been able to return home. Many of those without homes or unable to return home yet are sleeping in centres in Bordeaux and surrounding communities. The activism and efforts from the citizens locally has been incredible. Collections of goods have surpassed immediate needs. Chefs and restaurants feeding local citizens and first responders. The help from local farmers to create barriers and disperse flames along side firefighters, once again, has been indispensable.
In Bazas we have had smoke and some ash fall, but have not had fires locally. Cap Ferret and Biscarosse, though not our home, are not foreign to us. These areas are mostly visited by French and local tourists. It’s natural beach, forests and family homes. It’s camp grounds and people coming to escape the city and enjoy the quiet and peaceful bay of Arcachon or the sandy lake beaches at Biscarosse. It’s incredibly sad to see what has and is currently happening, only more horrifying to know so many have lost their homes or businesses. So many wild and domestic animals suffering. The temperatures today are near 40C / 105F.
WHAT ARE THE LANDES FORESTS?
The Landes Forest, the largest hand planted pine forest in Western Europe, covering 1.3 million kilometres with maritime pine. Created in the mid-1800’s at the request of Napoleon III, this forest is at the centre of the fire conversation. The land these trees inhabit used to be a vast swap land, almost void of inhabitants and industry. The Landes forest certainly changed that. Pine trees are known to be one of the most flammable trees, filled with sap that is easy to ignite and pine cones that act like fire bombs once lit, leaping from one tree to the next.
In 2022, we discussed the need to retract from this monocrop and venture into different styles of agriculture, if not only to avoid such fires but to adjust to global warming. To empty parts of the forest to create barriers against vicious, runaway fires. We didn’t do any of that. Here we are, just four years later, and burning again.
What will come from this and what solutions will be found is to be seen, but it is clear we cannot live as before.
It is hard to even discuss tourism for me during this period, the few tours I have had were challenging. Many were cancelled due to the heavy smoke in Bordeaux, which was hard to predict with the change of wind. The department suggested everyone to wear a mask, but locally only those in need would acquire one and it felt like we were back to 2020. How can we be back to suggesting (even when we should be requiring in some instances) masks…and not have enough? I degress.
Gironde, Cap Ferret, Biscarosse, Arcachon, Bordeaux…are only a few of the places who will need your support in the coming months and years. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and do come back to visit. We look forward to sharing the history of this area, the beautiful beaches and hills, vines and forests. The city of Bordeaux and the many villages surrounding will be very happy to see you!
If you have any questions or want more information, please do not hesitate to email me aquitaineguide@gmail.com or check the resources below. Thank you again for your love and support x
Here’s to happier days, like just out yearly trip only last week, at Cap Ferret.
READ MORE :
Feux de forêt, incendies : cartes et informations en direct
Incendie en Gironde : la carte des feux de forêt en cours près du bassin d’Arcachon
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