The mayor of Bordeaux confirmed that preparations are underway to address all possible scenarios after a wildfire spread to within just 15 kilometers of the city and remains uncontrollable.
On Monday, 27 Jul 2026 GMT+7, the mayor of Bordeaux, France, stated that preparations are being made to handle “every possible situation” because one of several wildfires raging across the country has advanced to within only 15 kilometers of this southwestern city.
“We are preparing to accommodate a large number of people if further evacuation orders are issued,” said Thomas Cazenave, mayor of Bordeaux.
Meanwhile, Laurent Nuñez, France’s Minister of the Interior, revealed that firefighters in the Gironde department are facing an “unprecedented” situation battling wildfires that “are rapidly expanding beyond control.”
So far, more than 220,000 people in France have evacuated due to wildfires. Additionally, another severe heatwave on Tuesday could further hinder firefighting efforts.
Jérôme Steff, mayor of Sestas, a town south of Bordeaux, told BBC News that this event “will be the wildfire of the century.”
He explained that over 17,000 residents were evacuated overnight when the wildfire raged two days ago, and so far, the fire has consumed 42,000 hectares (about 262,500 rai) in Gironde, destroying 240 homes.
“In my town, the situation is truly catastrophic,” Steff said, adding that although the fire’s spread has slowed, his team has “only won small battles” so far, warning that risks remain from flying embers or sudden wind shifts.
“We are putting all our energy into building firebreaks to protect,” he explained, while admitting, “We are all fearful facing this situation.”
Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu posted on X warning that the country is facing an unprecedented severe wildfire season, with 13,566 fires occurring since January, burning over 116,085 hectares (about 725,500 rai).
The Prime Minister revealed that 9 out of 10 of these wildfires “are caused by human activity,” mostly due to negligence such as cigarette butts, barbecue fires, or careless work practices.
Lecornu also said that not all fires are accidental; some are deliberately set, noting that since 6 July, 162 suspects have been arrested.
Besides Gironde, wildfires are also burning in several other regions of France, including Var and Landes, as well as in the Aude-Corse area on the island of Corsica.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:bbc