About 12,000 people have been evacuated from the south-west of France, with authorities moving an additional 8,800 individuals as wildfires continue to spread in the Gironde region, local officials reported on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2026. Sophie Brocas, speaking to reporters, stated that approximately 2,400 hectares (5,900 acres) of land have been destroyed around the Bay of Arcachon. Many evacuees were tourists from campsites on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula. The Gironde prefect noted that 10,000 visitors were among those evacuated overnight from campsites, with further evacuations proceeding calmly in the village of Claouey on the shore of Arcachon Bay. Brocas confirmed no injuries had been reported, though some sites and roads in exposed forest areas have been closed.

Marc Vermeulen, chief of the Gironde fire service, described the firefighting efforts as "relentless all night," warning that rising temperatures and strengthening winds are complicating containment efforts. Several French departments have been affected by wildfires during a series of unusual and prolonged heatwaves across Europe this summer.

Wildfires have also broken out in Spain and Italy recently. Residents near Toledo, south of Madrid, were evacuated due to fires. In Sicily, Italy, a firefighter died after falling ill while combating a blaze. Salvo Cocina, head of the Sicilian Civil Protection, reported over 350 fires on the island, including 10 major ones that prompted precautionary evacuations. Authorities indicated that fires in Sicily are not yet under control, with around 890 hectares (2,200 acres) burned, though firefighting efforts have prevented the fire perimeter from expanding.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi paid tribute to firefighter Alessandro Marchi, who died in the line of duty in San Cataldo, Sicily. Sicily's regional leader Renato Schifani also expressed condolences to the families affected.

Sources