Macron convenes crisis meeting over fires near Bordeaux

27.07.2026 09:26 HotInfo

French President Emmanuel Macron is convening a crisis inter-ministerial meeting on Monday over extensive forest fires in southwestern France that have approached Bordeaux. The fire in the Gironde department, after several days of continuous spreading, stabilized overall during the night, but has already affected approximately 42,000 hectares and led to the evacuation of about 220,000 people. svet.sme.sk ↗

Authorities also evacuated hotels around the airport near Bordeaux and had already earlier ordered the clearing of the Cap Ferret tourist peninsula, from which some people were being transported away by boat. This is one of the most extensive fires in France since World War II. During the fifth night, firefighters battled an extremely extensive and unpredictable fire, while the country was simultaneously fighting dozens of fires. SITA ↗

The military is also joining the effort. French authorities announced the mobilization of 1,500 soldiers and the deployment of military aircraft. Paris also requested the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism. European partners, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, whose helicopters are to join in the firefighting, are also expected to provide assistance. hnonline.sk ↗

The situation could be complicated in the coming days by another heatwave. Although the main fire in Gironde has stabilized, authorities are keeping firefighters, the military, and crisis units on standby, as dry weather and wind could make the operations more difficult again. Le Figaro ↗

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