Over 12,000 people were evacuated from southwest France as wildfires raged, while a firefighter died in Sicily amid record-breaking heat across Europe.
Evacuations and Fire Intensity in Southwest France
Authorities evacuated 7,000 people on Thursday from campsites and residential areas near Cap Ferret, bringing the total to around 12,000. The Gironde département remained under a red alert as wildfires burned through 2,000 hectares. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez noted that 44,000 hectares had already been burned this year in 2026. The fires forced the closure of leisure sites in exposed forest areas and banned internal combustion and electric engines in predominantly forested areas.
Firefighters described the Gironde blaze as having “rare” intensity, with emergency services deploying helicopters and nearly 90 personnel to contain the flames. Meanwhile, a separate fire in the Var département burned almost 2,500 hectares, including parts of the Gros Bessillon mountain range. Nuñez emphasized the scale of the crisis, citing 12,500 wildfire outbreaks nationwide since the start of 2026.
Evacuations included 10,000 tourists, as reported by French media. The Gironde region government confirmed that over 2,000 hectares had been destroyed, with internal combustion and electric engines banned in forested areas. A fire nearby is still burning, and almost 90 personnel and a helicopter have been deployed to get the flames under control, though most evacuated residents were allowed to return except in one Villa del Prado area.
Italy’s Tragic Loss and Fire Response
Italy’s authorities paid tribute to the firefighter who died tackling a wildfire in San Cataldo. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised Marchi as having died in service to the community,
while Sicilian President Renato Schifani wished a speedy recovery
for another firefighter involved in the same operation. Salvo Cocina, head of Sicilian Civil Protection, revealed that there had been more than 350 fires on the island including ten major ones which led to precautionary evacuations.
Cocina described the fires as a social and public order problem,
attributing them to human causes. Meanwhile, French officials highlighted the broader European context, citing a report released in April by the Copernicus Climate Change Service that found at least 95% of Europe saw “above average” annual temperatures in 2025, with wildfire-burnt areas and emissions reaching record levels.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez posted photos from an event on Wednesday, the day after the deaths of two firefighters near Bordeaux airport, expressing immense emotion
, infinite gratitude
and unwavering support
to their families. The Gironde region remained under a red alert, with leisure sites in exposed forest areas to be closed on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Heatwaves and Climate Context
Spain’s weather service AEMET said temperatures of up to 36C are forecast on Thursday afternoon. The crisis mirrors broader climate trends: the Copernicus report identified Europe as the fastest-warming continent. French authorities warned that the area is one of several French departments recently ravaged by wildfires during a series of unusual and prolonged heatwaves that have swept across Europe this summer, while Madrid saw most evacuated residents return after a fire nearby is still burning.
Emergency services shared a video on social media showing emergency service workers approaching the flames with hoses. Local authorities continued to warn of an extreme risk of fires
on Thursday morning.
A report released in April by the Copernicus Climate Change Service found at least 95% of Europe saw “above average” annual temperatures in 2025 and identified Europe as the fastest-warming continent. Wildfire-burnt area and fire emissions both reached record levels last year, the report said.
What Comes Next: Firefighting and Long-Term Risks
In Gironde, around 12,000 people have been evacuated, while Sicily monitors fires. The Copernicus Climate Change Service report found at least 95% of Europe saw “above average” annual temperatures in 2025 and identified Europe as the fastest-warming continent.
For residents, a number of roads have been closed, and the use of internal combustion and electric engines have been banned in predominantly forested areas. The deaths of firefighters in both France and Italy highlight the events, with no injuries reported on Thursday.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
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