French Firefighters Hold Ground on Massive Southwest Wildfire as Heat Returns

Firefighters in southwest France successfully prevented a large wildfire from spreading overnight, extinguishing several flare‑ups near Atlantic coast dunes. The blaze, which ignited near Saumos last week, remained stable at 6 a.m. Tuesday, with the burned area holding steady at 420 square kilometers (162 square miles). Although the fire’s advance has been halted, officials warn that smoldering vegetation and dropping humidity could trigger fresh outbreaks.

Overnight, multiple smaller fires were reported north of Le Porge and in dune areas north of Cap Ferret. Crews quickly brought these incidents under control. The fire has scorched an area roughly four times the size of Paris and has forced the evacuation of some 220,000 people.

Efforts to contain the blaze include the construction of tactical firebreaks. Military engineers and firefighters built 103 kilometers (64 miles) of barriers to limit further spread. The operation has resulted in 93 firefighter injuries, according to the Gironde prefecture.

Transportation disruptions remain in place: a section of the A63 highway is closed, and rail traffic south of Bordeaux is suspended except for trains heading toward Toulouse.

Separately, a wildfire in the neighboring Landes region displaced more than 30,000 residents and holidaymakers. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that the Landes fire has been contained. Authorities continue to monitor conditions as returning heat and drier air could challenge ongoing firefighting efforts.

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