A large wildfire in southwestern France has temporarily halted its spread due to rain. However, authorities remain on high alert as a heatwave is forecasted to return, and full containment could take months.
According to reports from French daily Le Figaro and CNN, the Gironde region experienced about an hour of rain from late July 27 to early July 28, preventing further spread of the fire.
The blaze, which began on July 22 along the coast, has burned approximately 42,000 hectares (about 162 square miles) as it spread eastward with the wind. The flames have approached within 15 kilometers of Bordeaux, a major city and renowned wine region. Local authorities have evacuated around 220,000 residents to safety in anticipation of the fire's spread.
Gironde officials stated that the situation remained generally stable overnight, with firefighters working diligently on the ground.
Laurent Nunez, France's Minister of the Interior, emphasized that while the fire has stabilized, it has not been extinguished. He noted, "The flames did not spread further overnight, but they are still burning."
In the neighboring Landes region, the spread of the fire has been contained. This fire has burned about 3,600 hectares and destroyed 198 buildings. As conditions improved, approximately 10,500 of the 30,000 evacuated residents were allowed to return home.
However, with another heatwave expected, the next two days are anticipated to be critical for firefighting efforts. French meteorological authorities predict temperatures in the southwestern region could reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Colonel David Anotel of the National Firefighters Federation stated on RTL radio that it could take weeks, or even months, for the fire to be completely extinguished. He noted that a similar wildfire in the same area in 2022 took months to fully contain, despite being smaller in scale than the current one.
Local residents and businesses are also contributing to firefighting efforts. Farmers are supplying water to the site using trucks equipped with water tanks, while others are clearing trees and brush to create firebreaks. Local companies have also provided equipment such as trucks and water tanks.
Support from the European Union and neighboring countries continues. The EU has deployed nine aircraft to the site and plans to add two helicopters. The German military has provided two transport helicopters and firefighting equipment using an A400M transport plane, while 40 Romanian firefighters have joined the firefighting efforts in southern France.
As the wildfire approaches strategic facilities in the defense and aerospace industry west of Bordeaux, there are heightened concerns for their protection. This area houses factories responsible for the production and fueling of France's M51 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
Arianespace has evacuated all personnel from facilities within the fire's impact zone and implemented protective measures. The "Laser Megajoule" nuclear test simulation facility near Bordeaux has also been completely shut down due to the wildfire.
The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) stated that there are no nuclear materials at the facility, eliminating the risk of radiation leaks. Firefighting authorities and the military are establishing firebreaks around sensitive facilities and removing vegetation that could fuel the flames.
Marc Vermuelen, head of the Gironde Fire and Rescue Service, remarked, "Protecting strategic facilities from the wildfire is our second most important mission after saving lives."
On July 28, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the command center in Bordeaux to thank firefighters, military personnel, and volunteers, while mourning the loss of two firefighters who died during the firefighting efforts.
President Macron stated, "We must clearly recognize that we are facing unprecedented wildfires. The current situation is the most serious recorded to date and the most challenging to respond to since World War II." He added, "Already, 160,000 hectares (about 617 square miles) have burned, but the wildfire season is far from over."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.