At a glance
Vigilance noire (highest wildfire alert level)
26 July (1pm): after a difficult night with the fire flaring up again, the préfète reports today's weather is less unfavourable, allowing firefighters to go back on the offensive. The fire has burned 42,000 hectares since 22 July.
See this site's update history (3)
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Added a clearer independent-citizen-site disclaimer, a visible update history, and an About section.
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Updated evacuated areas, reception centres, figures and official contacts with the latest préfecture and Bordeaux Métropole press releases.
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Initial launch of the site: situation, evacuation, help and other needs, linking exclusively to official sources.
Current situation
Figures and information verified only against official sources.
Verified figures
Vigilance noire (highest wildfire alert level)
Wildfire alert level
42,000 hectares (as of 26/07, 1pm)
Area burned (Saumos fire, since 22 July)
Nearly 220,000, across 23 communes (including 55,000 overnight on 25–26 July)
People preventively evacuated (since 22 July)
2,500 firefighters, 18 aircraft, 1,500 soldiers, 1,200 police/gendarmes
Emergency resources deployed
75 firefighters injured (10 evacuated), no fatalities reported at this stage; 240 homes destroyed
Provisional toll (human and material)
Latest situation updates
Latest update
26 July (1pm): after a difficult night with the fire flaring up again, the préfète reports today's weather is less unfavourable, allowing firefighters to go back on the offensive. The fire has burned 42,000 hectares since 22 July.
See previous updates (4)
25 July (evening): as the fire flared up again, the préfète ordered the immediate evacuation of newly threatened sectors in Marcheprime, Le Barp, Biganos, Mios and Cestas.
Gironde remains under vigilance noire, the maximum wildfire alert level.
25 July: the préfète triggered FR-Alert ordering the immediate evacuation of sectors in Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Martignas-sur-Jalle and Saint-Jean-d'Illac.
26 July: 9 reception centres are active in Gironde, plus a 1,500-bed centre opened at the Agen Exhibition Centre (Lot-et-Garonne) in support. List and addresses via the official link alongside.
Follow the latest developments
- Gironde préfecture press releases Official source (State)
- FR-Alert — how it works Official source (State)
- List and addresses of reception centres (préfecture, regularly updated PDF) Official source (State)
See all official links (6)
- Public information line — 09 70 80 90 40 (24/7, press 1 for Gironde) Official source (State)
- Bordeaux Métropole — shelter for evacuees and donations Official source (local authority)
- Météo des forêts (fire risk) Official source (State)
Evacuation & shelters
Affected areas and reception centres listed by the préfecture and Bordeaux Métropole.
Confirm with the official source or by phone before travelling.
Evacuated areas
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Marcheprime, Le Barp, Biganos, Mios, Cestas
Immediate evacuation ordered on the evening of 25 July for newly threatened sectors in these five communes as the fire flared up again (around 55,000 people affected that night).
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Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Saint-Jean-d'Illac
Immediate evacuation ordered via FR-Alert on 25 July for threatened sectors in these four communes.
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Claouey, Le Four, Les Jacquets, Petit Piquey, Grand Piquey (presqu'île du Cap-Ferret)
Immediate evacuation ordered via FR-Alert for these peninsula villages, to be reached only via the D106 towards Bordeaux.
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Le Porge, Saumos, Le Temple, Lège-Cap-Ferret
Preventive evacuations ordered from 23 July for these communes near the Saumos fire (close to 20,000 people affected as of 24 July).
Reception centres
We do not show live availability: confirm on site or by phone.
Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux-Lac
Porte M, cours Jules Ladoumègue, Bordeaux-Lac, Bordeaux
Site designed to hold up to 10,000 people (an official maximum-capacity figure, not a real-time availability indicator). Reserved for evacuees (no donations or walk-in volunteers on site) — use exit 4. Showers are available at the nearby Colette Besson sports complex; a dedicated area exists for pets.
I want to help
Needs and coordination are managed by town halls and accredited aid organisations.
Donate goods
Donations are centralised by your local town hall, which forwards them on. Do not drop anything off at the Exhibition Centre.
Volunteer
Volunteer needs are coordinated only through town halls. Do not show up directly at the Exhibition Centre.
Offer housing
Bordeaux Métropole collects housing offers through a dedicated form. Hosting someone is your responsibility (dignified access to sanitation and meals).
Red Cross France support
Red Cross France staffs emergency shelters and provides psychological support to evacuees.
Other needs
Pets, health, transport, tourism: short tips and links to the right contacts.
Pets (1)
Pets
A dedicated pet area has been set up at the Bordeaux-Lac Exhibition Centre for evacuees travelling with animals.
Health (2)
Vulnerable people, care homes, medical needs
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine health agency (ARS) has triggered the departmental emergency hospital plan and is coordinating the medical evacuation of care facilities.
Emergency psychological support
An emergency medical-psychological support line (CUMP) is open for people affected by the fires.
Transport (1)
Roads & travel
The A63 motorway is partially closed near Cestas and Marcheprime (both directions), and other roads remain closed near the fire zones. Check the official Gironde Inforoutes site before travelling in the area.
Tourism (1)
Tourists and holidaymakers
On holiday or travelling through a threatened area: keep your phone on and off airplane mode to receive FR-Alert (automatic broadcast, no app needed), know the exact commune your accommodation is in, evacuate immediately if asked, and don't rely on social media alone. The Bordeaux-Lac centre is a last resort if you have nowhere else to go.
About Aide Gironde
Aide Gironde is an independent citizen initiative created during the Gironde wildfire emergency. Its purpose is to make official information easier to find and understand, especially for residents and visitors who may face a language barrier.
Information shown here comes from official public sources and always links back to them. This site does not replace emergency services, official authorities or FR-Alert: it is a multilingual navigation layer for official emergency information, not an emergency service or a news site.
Authorities and organisations are welcome to suggest corrections, preferred wording, or additional resources.