Wildfires: Gendarmes Patrol Evacuated Towns to Prevent Burglaries

In the deserted streets of Saint-Jean-d’Illac, near Bordeaux, France, gendarmes are maintaining a constant patrol. Their mission is to secure evacuated neighborhoods and prevent burglaries as wildfires continue to rage in the region.

More than a dozen towns close to Bordeaux have been evacuated as the fires draw nearer. The affected areas present a scene of abandonment, with empty streets, closed shops, and silent residential areas. A thick smoke blankets the towns, obscuring the sun and carrying the strong scent of burning wood, creating an atmosphere described by some as "end of the world."

Adjudant Rozier, from the gendarmerie squadron in Périgueux, noted that most residents have complied with evacuation orders, leaving few people behind. Approximately fifteen gendarmes are mobilized to patrol Saint-Jean d’Illac and neighboring communities that were hastily abandoned. Their primary role is to confirm that all residents are safely sheltered and to deter criminals from exploiting the situation by looting homes and businesses.

Despite the tense situation and the visible threat of the fires, the authorities are focused on maintaining order and security. The presence of gendarmes aims to provide a sense of safety for the evacuated populations and to protect property during this critical period. The report indicates that the fires have not yet reached Saint-Jean d’Illac, but the thick smoke serves as a constant reminder of the danger.

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Most people have followed the instructions and left; there is almost no one left here.