The mega-fires in progress since Tuesday July 12 in the South of Gironde and in Teste-de-Buch were no longer progressing on Wednesday evening, with a balance sheet, 20,800 hectares burned, which has hardly changed since the morning. According to the Gironde prefecture this Thursday, a few flashes had to be dealt with by firefighters on both fires and a lot of civil engineering work was carried out. The fires are not yet fixed. Firefighters estimate that they could still leave if the weather conditions worsen. During the day on Thursday, we expect temperatures almost similar to those of Wednesday.
The essential
- 20,800 hectares have burned since Tuesday July 12 (13,800 in South Gironde, 7,000 in La Teste)
- During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the firefighters intervened on a few resumptions of fire and carried out a lot of civil engineering work
- 36,750 people have been evacuated since the start of the fires in Gironde
- More than 2,000 firefighters as well as six Canadair and two Dash planes are mobilized according to the prefecture of Gironde. Two private helicopters were requisitioned on Wednesday afternoon, according to the government spokesman.
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Find the summary of Emmanuel Macron’s trip to La Teste-de-Buch. He then went to Langon, to the headquarters of the Landiras fire.
- The prefecture has opened an information unit to the public: 0 800 009 763 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Listen to France Bleu Gironde to keep you informed of the situation on the fire front
- Roads closed to traffic are listed on the department’s website
The situation in La Teste-de-Buch
The fire is still not fixed at La Teste, but it is contained. He burned 7,000 hectares. Since the start of the fire, holidaymakers or residents, a total of 20,000 people have been evacuated in this very touristy area. The deforestation and tactical burning work continues as well as the treatment of the edges using specific products and the resumption of fire. In the Pilat and Miquelot sectors in La Teste, a 50m strip has been created between the forest and the houses, the prefecture announced at midday.
The situation in South Gironde
For the first time, the fire no longer presented this Wednesday as a front formed around Landiras. The perimeter of the fire totals 66 km and burned 13,800 hectares. Firewalls are installed in the Landes, a few kilometers south of the fire.
Emmanuel Macron salutes “absolute heroes”
At La Teste, this Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron promised that he would launch a “major national project” to rebuild the forest. On the question of the Canadairs, the President recognized that it was very likely necessary to reinforce the European fleet. That these decisions should be thought out at European level.
In Langon, with the mayors of the evacuated municipalities of South Gironde, he discussed the return of people to their homes, talking about the conditions to be put in place, the need for a plan “very clear” depending on the zones and the evolution of the fire.
Emmanuel Macron also met the bosses of the campsites destroyed this Wednesday afternoon. He promised them the support of the State in the reconstruction, in particular support with insurance and the initiation of procedures to compensate for the loss of activity, such as those put in place during the pandemic.
Practical information
- More than 38,000 people have been evacuated since the start of the fires in La Teste and in the South-Gironde. What should you bring if this happens to you? We summarize what to bring in the event of an evacuation in this complete article.
- The Gironde prefecture has opened an information unit to the public: 0 800 009 763 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).