FOREIGN OFFICE WARNS BRITONS OF FRENCH WILDFIRES

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel warning for France following wildfires in the Gironde region of southwestern France. The alert, released on 23 July, identifies affected areas around Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret as sites where wildfires are spreading. French authorities have evacuated campsites and tourist accommodation in the region, and access to affected areas may be restricted with roads potentially closed at short notice. The FCDO advises British nationals already in the area or planning to travel there to follow local authority guidance and monitor local media for updates.

According to local reports, more than 10,000 people were evacuated overnight from the coastal town of Lège-Cap-Ferret near Bordeaux. Local authorities reported the blaze had spread across more than 2,000 hectares, though no injuries were recorded. Some 500 firefighters have been deployed to the Gironde prefecture to combat the fire, with local authorities describing the situation as remaining unfavourable. Nine municipalities opened reception and respite centres for evacuees, with more than 2,500 people taking shelter there according to local reports.

The FCDO guidance states that wildfires commonly occur across France during summer months owing to higher temperatures, with greatest risk in the south of the country, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, in Corsica, and in southwestern areas during hot, dry weather. The agency recommends travellers check the French weather service's fire alert map before travelling and monitor local authority advice during their stay, as conditions can change rapidly. In France, causing a wildfire is illegal even if started accidentally and may result in a fine or custodial sentence.