More than 20,000 evacuated after intense wildfire in France

Authorities in France have evacuated more than 20,000 people as an intense wildfire sweeps across the Atlantic coast. The blaze began near the village of Saumos in a dense pine forest west of Bordeaux. In less than 24 hours, the fire consumed 2,400 hectares of land. While no casualties or home destructions are reported, the situation remains precarious for local residents and tourists.

Nearly 700 firefighters supported by four water-bombing planes are working to contain the spread. Regional officials opened multiple reception centers to provide shelter for over 2,500 displaced individuals. Roads leading to the popular Cap Ferret peninsula are closed to all but essential traffic to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles.

Local officials are investigating the origin of the fire, with early reports from the mayor of Le Porge suggesting a machine used for clearing undergrowth might have triggered the incident. This region previously saw significant damage during the 2022 wildfire season when thousands were forced to flee their homes.

This incident follows several heatwaves across France since May. The extreme weather conditions have resulted in dry soil and parched waterways, increasing the vulnerability of forests to rapid fire spread. Additional fires in the Var department have also prompted evacuations, though authorities have stabilized some of those areas. The French interior ministry reports that over 12,500 wildfires have occurred across the country so far this year.