Gironde wildfire eases after burning 42,000 hectares

The major wildfire in Gironde in southwest France appeared to be easing on July 30 after burning more than 42,000 hectares, but firefighters and volunteers near Lanton warned that smouldering ground could still flare up.

A small team of firefighters water-lanced remaining patches of smoking earth after a flare-up the previous day was put out with help from water-bombing aircraft and helicopters lent by other European countries.

The fire, described in earlier reporting as France's worst wildfire since 1949, had threatened forest near the Atlantic coast town of Lanton. More than 5,000 firefighters, military personnel, police officers and volunteers have been involved in the wider Gironde firefighting effort.

Volunteer Maxence Cereja said he hoped the battle was won, but warned that smoke plumes remained dangerous. Another volunteer, Nina Rosazza, said the fire's impact on tourism, ecology and the landscape would be long term.

Some residents and firefighters also criticised the management of the crisis, saying crews and locals had faced confusing orders and difficult access to affected areas.