Disasters & Incidents
France wildfire tourists return to Arcachon Bay
Tourists began returning to Arcachon Bay in southwestern France on Sunday after firefighters gained the upper hand over the country's largest wildfire since 1949.
The fire started across the bay on July 22 and burned about 42,000 hectares of pine forest along the Atlantic coastline. It destroyed about 240 homes.
In Arcachon, some holidaymakers were again walking along the seafront and using the beach. Residents and business owners said the town had been unusually empty while the fire burned nearby forests.
Joaquim Fajarnes, who owns an ice cream parlour and souvenir shops, said business had been badly hit and had not yet fully recovered.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Saturday urged holidaymakers to show solidarity and return to the area. Local authorities say tourism generates seven percent of the wider Gironde region's GDP and employs 40,000 people.
Firefighters were still dousing flames active in several areas. Some residents said they remained worried about the risk of flare-ups during dry conditions.
Update
Some holidaymakers returned to Arcachon after the wildfire burned nearby pine forests for more than a week.
Firefighters gained the upper hand over the wildfire during the weekend, while flames were still active in several areas.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu urged holidaymakers on Saturday to show solidarity and return to the area.
Local business owners described damage to tourism trade after the fire.
Local authorities said tourism accounts for seven percent of the wider Gironde region's GDP and employs 40,000 people.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 August 2026 at 17:40:16 UTC.
Update
A minister said France's largest wildfire in decades was under control.
Source note: AFP news report published on 1 August 2026 at 10:02:29 UTC.
Update
Officials authorised 84,000 more displaced people to return home earlier Thursday.
The Gironde wildfires forced the evacuation of 220,000 people for more than a week.
The blazes destroyed more than 200 homes and 42,000 hectares.
Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said there were still two active hotspots and it was too early to say when the fire would be fully contained.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 17:05:42 UTC.
Update
An official described the southwest France wildfire response as having its “first somewhat optimistic day” since the fire broke out.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 16:32:53 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The latest item says the fire forced 220 people to flee their homes, while earlier supplied published material said about 220,000 people were evacuated or displaced; the public story avoids relying on either conflicting evacuation figure.
Source
AFP news report published on .