Thousands can return home in France's Landes despite uncontrolled wildfire

In France's Landes region, about 3,000 of the 30,000 people evacuated due to wildfires will be allowed to return to their homes tonight. While this marks a slight improvement, officials caution that the fire is far from being under control. Gilles Clavreul, the prefect of the Landes department, expressed moderate optimism regarding the fire's evolution, which has consumed approximately 3,600 hectares.

The situation remains particularly dire in the neighboring Gironde department, where the most severe fire has scorched 32,700 hectares and forced the evacuation of 167,000 people, including areas on the outskirts of Bordeaux. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the conditions as critical, noting that a sudden shift in weather patterns has profoundly altered the fire's dynamics. Despite a brief improvement overnight and this morning, forecasts remain unfavorable, suggesting the coming hours could be difficult.

This year's wildfires have already burned a record 98,000 hectares across France. In response, the government has initiated an "equally historic" mobilization, deploying thousands of firefighters, security forces, and military personnel to the southwest. Priority actions include protecting evacuated zones from looting, establishing strategic firebreaks, particularly around high-risk industries, and providing healthcare assistance, which involves distributing 2.5 million FFP2 masks and reinforcing ambulance services.

Given the heavy impact on tourism in the affected regions, Lecornu announced a meeting with representatives from the tourism and energy sectors on Monday to assess the consequences and provide support. Active fires are also being battled in other French departments, including Var, Hautes-Alpes, Haute-Corse, and Pyrénées-Orientales.

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The situation remains particularly critical in Gironde. The sharp change in weather conditions yesterday profoundly modified the dynamics of the fire. After a slight improvement tonight and this morning, the forecasts are once again unfavorable. The next few hours could be difficult.