The Prefect of Gironde ordered the preventive evacuation of approximately 4,000 tourists [1] from all campsites and holiday villages in Lacanau on Tuesday.
The mass evacuation comes as southwestern France faces a critical fire risk. Authorities are acting to prevent casualties before weather conditions potentially trap visitors in forested resort areas.
The departmental authority issued the order for all campings, holiday villages, and leisure parks in the Lacanau region [1], [2]. This decision was made in anticipation of an unfavorable meteorological phenomenon [1], specifically high temperatures and wind that could worsen the risk of wildfires [1], [3].
The Prefect of Gironde said the measure was taken "en anticipation d'un phénomène météorologique défavorable" [1].
This emergency action follows a period of intense wildfire activity in the region. Since July 22, fires in the Gironde department have burned an estimated 42,000 hectares [3]. The scale of the previous burns has left the region vulnerable to new outbreaks as the heatwave continues.
Local officials are coordinating the movement of the 4,000 tourists [1] to ensure they are clear of the high-risk zones before the predicted wind and heat peaks. The evacuation includes not only traditional campsites, but also leisure parks and managed holiday villages [1], [2].
“The Prefect of Gironde ordered the preventive evacuation of approximately 4,000 tourists.”
The decision to evacuate thousands of tourists before a fire even starts reflects a shift toward aggressive preventive management in southwestern France. By clearing high-density tourist zones in Lacanau, authorities are attempting to avoid the logistical nightmare of emergency rescues during a 'mega-fire' event, especially given that 42,000 hectares have already been lost in the region this month.
