On the front line of the Gironde fires

Gironde, 27 July 2026Photos and text: Fred Marie16 images

01 / 16 · Gironde, 27 July 2026Fred Marie / Collectif DR

In July 2026, Gironde faced one of the most serious wildfire episodes in its recent history. As of July 27, the fire that started in Saumos had burned through about 42,000 hectares. Stabilized but still not contained, it led to the evacuation of 220,000 people and destroyed 240 homes.

More than 2,700 firefighters, supported by substantial air, military and police resources, remain mobilized to contain the flames and secure the threatened areas.

The human toll is marked by the deaths of two firefighters on July 21, in a separate fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac airport. As of July 27, no deaths had been reported among the population affected by the Saumos fire, while 84 firefighters had been injured since the start of this fire.

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