German Tourists Evacuated as Wildfires Rage in French Holiday Resort

Hartmut Borowski, a 69-year-old tourist from Ratingen, Germany, found his planned six-week vacation in Lacanau, western France, abruptly cut short by devastating wildfires. What began as a peaceful stay at his usual campsite near the idyllic Lacanau lake quickly turned into a hasty evacuation.

"At first, they said everything was safe," Borowski recalled. "Then the wind turned, smoke came over to us, and then we were evacuated as a precaution." The family was forced to leave their caravan and camping equipment behind, traveling north to Hourtin with only a packed trailer.

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At first, they said everything was safe. Then the wind turned, smoke came over to us, and then we were evacuated as a precaution.

Borowski is one of approximately 4,000 holidaymakers who had to leave their campsites in Lacanau that week. They were among over 220,000 people evacuated from the Bordeaux region due to the fires. While tens of thousands have since been allowed to return, Borowski hopes to be back at his preferred vacation spot within days.

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When you looked around the site, everyone was packing, even the stubborn Dutch.

Another tourist, Patrick Behrens, 53, and his 12-year-old son Oskar, also experienced the sudden disruption. Despite rain the previous day, warning apps on their phones signaled the growing danger. "When you looked around the site, everyone was packing, even the stubborn Dutch," Behrens noted, highlighting the widespread nature of the evacuation.

Behrens and his son found a new place to stay in Hourtin, even inviting Borowski to join them. Behrens offered his motorhome, while Borowski opted for a tent. A third family also joined them. "That was really nice, I have to say," Behrens commented. "And now it's also good if we can go back."

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That was really nice, I have to say. And now it's also good if we can go back.

Despite the frightening images of the fires, Behrens did not feel personally endangered while still in Lacanau. "I didn't find it that wild, because when you see the firefighting planes flying over your head constantly for three or four days, it gives a sense of security," he said. Nevertheless, the father and son witnessed ash and charcoal pieces falling from the sky.

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I didn't find it that wild, because when you see the firefighting planes flying over your head constantly for three or four days, it gives a sense of security.