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🇸🇪 Sweden /Disasters & Emergencies

Swedes in fire-ravaged French village: "Car is packed"

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Wildfires have forced nearly a quarter-million people to flee their homes in France.
  • Swedish residents in the affected areas are preparing for potential evacuation, with one stating their car is packed.
  • Authorities are managing the situation competently, but the fires, which have burned about 42,000 hectares, are not yet under control.

Wildfires continue to rage across France, forcing widespread evacuations and leaving tourist destinations eerily quiet. In the southern region, strong winds threaten to worsen the situation, while the usually bustling city of Bordeaux sees its outdoor cafes empty. "We have the car packed and are ready to leave," said Swedish resident Peter Bonde from the heavily impacted village of Cotignac, where many homes have been destroyed.

We have the car packed and are ready to leave.

— Peter BondeA Swedish resident in the heavily impacted village of Cotignac described his preparedness for evacuation amidst the wildfires.

Authorities have recommended that residents stay indoors due to poor air quality. "The air is too bad to breathe, but today it is still better than it was over the weekend," noted Swedish Consul in Bordeaux, Yann Schÿler, who wore a face mask while cycling to work. He recently received a Swedish task force assisting in the firefighting efforts.

The air is too bad to breathe, but today it is still better than it was over the weekend.

— Yann SchÿlerThe Swedish Consul in Bordeaux commented on the air quality due to the nearby wildfires.

Despite the proximity of the fires to Bordeaux, Schÿler reported no widespread panic, describing the public as "a little worried" but trusting the authorities' competence. The fires have already consumed approximately 42,000 hectares and are expected to take months to fully extinguish. "We have had three heatwaves and the ground is extremely dry. The slightest spark ignites the vegetation again. Everything is extremely fragile," Schÿler explained.

We have had three heatwaves and the ground is extremely dry. The slightest spark ignites the vegetation again. Everything is extremely fragile.

— Yann SchÿlerThe Swedish Consul explained the conditions contributing to the severity of the wildfires.

In Provence, southeastern France, a separate wildfire has destroyed nearly 5,000 hectares. Bonde's village of Cotignac has seen 55 houses reduced to rubble, leading to numerous evacuations. Although the immediate danger has subsided, the fire risk remains at its highest level. Over 1,000 firefighters, supported by helicopters and water-bombing aircraft, are actively working to contain the blaze. "Everyone is still on alert in case it flares up again. We have the car packed and are ready to leave if necessary," Bonde added. The community has shown solidarity, with hotels and restaurants offering free accommodation and meals to those displaced and the firefighters.

Everyone is still on alert in case it flares up again. We have the car packed and are ready to leave if necessary.

— Peter BondeA Swedish resident in Cotignac expressed continued vigilance and readiness to evacuate if the wildfire situation deteriorates.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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