Seven European countries send help to battle ‘monster’ wildfire ravaging southern France

12 August 2022, 13:41

Wildfire rages in southwestern France

By Asher McShane

Seven European countries have rushed to help French emergency services tackle a ‘monster’ fire that has been ravaging the country’s south west.

Eight major wildfires are raging in France and authorities 1,100 firefighters are tackling a vast blaze south of Bordeaux.

Sweden and Italy have sent fire-fighting aircraft to help French emergency services. Emmanuel Macron said Germany, Greece, Poland, Romania and Austria were also going to provide help. “Our partners are coming to France's aid against the fires. Thank you to them. European solidarity is at work!”

The fire is raging worst in the Gironde region. Authorities have warned of a ‘very serious risk’ of new outbreaks over the weekend as temperatures are set to top 40C.

Huge fires have been ravaging parts of southern France
Huge fires have been ravaging parts of southern France. Picture: Getty

The huge fire caused alarming black and orange skies to rise above the region as the blaze raged, leaving burnt out homes and huge swathes of charred land in its wake.

Local municipalities in the Gironde warned residents: “Prepare your papers, take the animals with you, some belongings.”

In the village of Hostens, police went door-to-door telling people to leave as the fire approached.

The wildfire raging near Belin-Beliet, southwestern France,
The wildfire raging near Belin-Beliet, southwestern France,. Picture: Getty

One woman, Camille Delay, said she fled with her partner and son, grabbing their two cats, chickens and house insurance documents.

"Everyone in the village climbed onto their rooftops to see what was happening - within ten minutes a little twist of smoke became enormous," the 30-year-old said.

A firefighting aircraft sprays fire retardant over trees during a wildfire near Saint-Magne
A firefighting aircraft sprays fire retardant over trees during a wildfire near Saint-Magne. Picture: Getty

Allisson Horan, 18, said: “"I'm getting worried because the fire is in a plot of land behind ours and the wind is starting to change direction."

The ruins of a house destroyed by the fire which erupted in Belin-Beliet, near Hostens, Southwestern France
The ruins of a house destroyed by the fire which erupted in Belin-Beliet, near Hostens, Southwestern France. Picture: Getty

Tackling the fire is particularly hazardous as the huge size of the blaze causes its own wind currents, meaning it can change direction extremely quickly.

The wildfire first broke out a month ago, destroying 14,000 hectares of land and forcing around 10,000 people to flee their homes.

An area of forest burnt by the fire which erupted near Hostens
An area of forest burnt by the fire which erupted near Hostens. Picture: Getty

But it continued to smoulder in forests and officials suspect the latest flare-up may have been arson.

The firefighters' brigade from the Gironde region said the spread of the forest fire had been limited overnight due to little wind but conditions for containing the blaze remained "unfavourable" due to hot, dry weather.

The fire in the Gironde region and neighbouring Landes has burned more than 74 square kilometres (29 square miles) since Tuesday.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The gas would have to be extracted via fracking

Giant gas field discovered under UK that 'could fuel the country for a decade'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Una Crown

Bloody fingernails of murdered widow, 86, help convict killer 12 years after she was stabbed and set on fire at home

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and that Russia should return to G7 - labelling Moscow's expulsion 'a mistake'

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kanye West and Bianca Censori 'split' days after Grammys scandal - as rapper releases bizarre message

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Ukraine admits it 'won't accept' US-Russia deal without seat at table

'Uncle Sam isn't Uncle Sucker,' US tells Nato - as Zelenskyy says Trump-Putin deal to end war 'must involve Ukraine'

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Semina Halliwell

Girl, 12, who died of overdose after reporting being raped was 'betrayed' by authorities, mother claims

Farishta Jami, 36, pictured, pledged allegiance to Islamic State and had a 'clear interest in the use of children in warfare'

British mother, 36, who tried to move family to Afghanistan to become ISIS martyrs found guilty of terror offences

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, 'pinned down' by sergeant 'lost faith' after his only punishment was writing apology letter

Michael Steele, who was jailed for life in 1998 for the killings of Tony Tucker, Pat Tate and Craig Rolfe, can be released from prison, the Parole Board has said.

'Essex Boys' killer Michael Steele to be released from prison 27 years after triple gangland murders

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Ukraine 'won't accept any agreements' between Trump and Putin to end war without being involved, says Zelenskyy

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed

Kanye West

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it

The young man was swallowed by a whale

Shocking moment whale swallows kayaker whole before spitting him back out