Over 5,000 Evacuated as 1,200-Hectare Wildfire Devastates Biscarrosse Forest

A severe wildfire erupted near Biscarrosse in the Landes region on Thursday afternoon, rapidly consuming approximately 1,200 hectares of forest. The blaze spread swiftly toward the town’s outskirts, prompting the evacuation of more than 5,000 individuals, including campers from several camping sites. Firefighters have mobilized around 250 personnel to control the flames, actively supported by aerial firefighting resources such as a Dash aircraft and two Canadair planes. Additional reinforcements are anticipated to reinforce the containment efforts.

In response to the escalating wildfire crisis affecting southwestern France, authorities are deploying substantial military support starting Saturday evening. A contingent of 1,500 military personnel will collaborate with the fire service to facilitate evacuations and ensure protection for residential zones and industrial areas endangered by the fires. This military assistance will be bolstered by specialized equipment, including a Reaper drone for aerial surveillance, an A400M transport aircraft, medical units prepared for emergency response, and bulldozers to assist with ground operations.

This large-scale mobilization reflects the challenging conditions firefighters face amid favorable weather contributing to rapid fire spread. The integration of military forces alongside the regular firefighting teams aims to enhance operational capacity and safeguard civilians and critical infrastructure as the wildfire continues to threaten the region.