France Wildfires: Fire 'Globally Stable' Near Bordeaux, Tourists Urged to Stay Away

Firefighters in France are working to contain a significant wildfire in the Gironde region, near Bordeaux. While the fire is described as "globally stable," it remains a serious threat, with flames just 15 kilometers from the Bordeaux metropolitan area. The situation is expected to worsen due to rising temperatures.

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The fire is "globally stable" in Gironde, but Macron will chair an interministerial crisis cell this Monday.

Across France and Spain, massive wildfires have forced more than 325,000 people to flee their homes. In Gironde and the Landes regions, approximately 40,000 holidaymakers from 45 campsites have been evacuated. Authorities have also suspended activities in summer camps and scout groups.

Sophie Brocas, the prefect of Gironde, stated that evacuated residents will not be able to return home until the fire is "fixed." She urged tourists to avoid traveling to Gironde and advised those already present to consider alternative destinations.

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Some "115,000 hectares have been affected" by fires since the beginning of the year in France, which is "quite exceptional," "much more than we have experienced in the past."

Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez reported that since the beginning of the year, fires have scorched approximately 115,000 hectares in France, an "exceptional" figure significantly higher than in previous years. Daily, 30 to 40 fires are being fought simultaneously, with over 13,000 fire starts recorded this year.

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I urge tourists not to come, not to go to Gironde.