By Euronews with AFP
Published on 22/07/2026 – 6:25 GMT+2
Two firefighters lost their lives Tuesday while combating a blaze near Bordeaux’s airport, officials confirmed.
The fire originated from a brush fire near the airport’s parking area, rapidly spreading to a structure.
Over 100 firefighters, 20 ground vehicles, and Dash aircraft/helicopters were deployed to contain the flames. Airport access routes were closed to aid emergency operations, causing flight delays.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed grief, stating he would visit the scene promptly. He praised the “exceptional courage” of local firefighters under challenging conditions.
President Macron extended national condolences and recognition to victims’ families and all French firefighters.
Southern France Wildfire Spreads at Alarming Speed
A fast-moving wildfire in southern France, fueled by dry conditions, forced evacuations and triggered power outages.
Simon Barbre, regional prefect, noted: “The fire’s rapid descent of Gros Bessillon mountain exceeded expectations given current weather patterns.”
Meteo-France attributed the extreme risk to prolonged drought, with 42,000+ hectares burned by mid-July—surpassing the 2022 record of 66,300 hectares.
The affected area exceeds Paris’ size fourfold, with 2026’s totals already outpacing 2025’s entire year. Last week’s blazes consumed 15,000 hectares across Fontainebleau, southern France, and Corsica.
Macron remarked that such widespread fires have not occurred since World War II, underscoring the crisis’s severity.
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