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🇮🇱 Israel /Disasters & Emergencies

France sends boats, orders evacuation of tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires continue to rage

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • French authorities ordered the full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula due to a major wildfire.
  • France has requested assistance from the European Union, with reinforcements expected from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
  • The fires, exacerbated by heatwaves and drought, have already burned 8,700 hectares on the peninsula and a separate fire near Biscarosse has consumed 2,500 hectares.

French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic coast, as a major wildfire threatens the area. Boats have been dispatched to help remove people from the peninsula, which is home to many valuable properties and is currently crowded with summer vacationers.

France has requested the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism. We will soon be able to count on reinforcements from two Croatian Canadair aircraft, two Portuguese Air Tractor planes, as well as two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

— Emmanuel MacronPresident of France, announcing the request for EU aid.

The severity of the fire prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to request assistance from the European Union. He announced that France would soon receive support from two Croatian Canadair aircraft, two Portuguese Air Tractor planes, and two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. "Our security forces are engaged in a genuine battle against the wildfires," French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated, emphasizing national solidarity with those fighting the blazes.

Sophie Brocas, the prefect for the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, outlined evacuation procedures, stating that residents and tourists could leave from piers in four villages between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time. Evacuees were advised to use either the boats or the sole road connecting the peninsula to the mainland. The fire has already devastated 8,700 hectares and continues to rage.

Our security forces are engaged in a genuine battle against the wildfires. The nation stands with you.

— Laurent NunezFrench Interior Minister, expressing solidarity with firefighters.

Compounding the crisis, a second wildfire ignited near Biscarosse, approximately 40 kilometers south of Cap Ferret, on Thursday afternoon. This fire, which remains uncontrolled, has consumed 2,500 hectares. "Winds are blowing, and the situation remains highly dynamic and unfavorable," said Gilles Clavreul, the prefect for the Landes area. More than 23,000 people have been evacuated from the Biscarosse district, including residents from campsites, homes, a children's summer camp, and a residential care home for the elderly.

Winds are blowing, and the situation remains highly dynamic and unfavorable.

— Gilles ClavreulPrefect for the Landes area, describing the conditions of the Biscarosse wildfire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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