France fire crews face searing heat in battle to contain flames
BBC News 2026-07-29 16:49:41
Context: Firefighters and volunteers are battling to contain wildfires raging in south-western France's Gironde region, where temperatures have peaked at around 40C, forcing tens of thousands of residents and tourists to flee. The fires have already destroyed 50,000 hectares of land and are spreading rapidly due to the dry, powder-like soil covered in pinecones and dried leaves. Fire crews from across France, supported by volunteers, are working to contain the blazes.
Key Facts
- Three Canadair aircraft are being used to drop water on the wildfires, with each aircraft carrying a payload of more than 1,000 gallons of water to help combat the flames.
- The wildfires have forced tens of thousands of residents and tourists to flee, with the fires restarting on their own due to the high temperatures and dry conditions.
- Pierre Alexandre, a resident of Le Temple, refused to leave his bungalow when asked by firefighters, but eventually agreed to leave after his wife and daughter had evacuated, while his 19-year-old son Clement chose to stay with him.
- Volunteers, including Hugo, 26, who grew up in the area and has returned from his home in Bali, are helping to deliver water and spray fire retardant to try and contain the fires.
- Fire crews are using a process known as "noyer", or "drowning", to water the soil and vegetation to prevent future fires from progressing, in addition to directly dousing the flames.