Forest fires in Gironde are back in the news. Since 22 July 2026, the fire that started in Saumos has spread across the north of the Arcachon Basin, affecting in particular Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Lacanau and Le Temple. On 29 July, the prefecture estimated the burnt area at 42,000 hectares. The fire was stabilised, but several flare-ups and new outbreaks were still being tackled amid a heatwave, dry wind and low humidity.
A fire of exceptional scale
The July 2026 crisis is a harsh reminder of how vulnerable the Landes de Gascogne forest is. More than 224,000 people have been evacuated as a precaution since the fire began. Homes have been destroyed and thousands of firefighters, soldiers, gendarmes and security staff remain mobilised.
Teams are now working to secure the edges of the burnt zone, watch for flare-ups and protect the towns near the forest. Even when the flames stop advancing, a fire of this size can remain dangerous for a long time. Stumps, roots and some soils can retain heat and start new fires.
From La Teste-de-Buch to Saumos, history repeats itself
The current fires in Gironde echo the summer of 2022. That year, the fires at La Teste-de-Buch, Landiras, Saumos and Arès destroyed more than 30,000 hectares of forest in the department. The historic communal forest, the Dune du Pilat and several parts of the Gironde forest were profoundly transformed.
Four years later, this new disaster shows that rebuilding cannot be limited to replanting. It must also include prevention, plot maintenance, forest tracks, water points, firebreaks and evacuation planning. Crisis management has become inseparable from forest management.
Major consequences for biodiversity
Burnt trees are the most visible part of the disaster, but the ecological consequences go much further. Wildlife, plants and natural habitats suffer from the heat, the smoke and the sudden loss of vegetation. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and small mammals lose places to shelter, feed and breed.
After the 2022 fires, the French forestry office (ONF) observed a gradual return of biodiversity at La Teste-de-Buch. That experience can help prepare for the post-2026 period. Specialists recommend first establishing a precise diagnosis, then letting nature's response guide technical choices.
Natural regeneration or replanting?
Natural regeneration allows seeds in the soil, young shoots and stump sprouts to gradually recolonise the plots. It preserves the local character of the forest and can encourage greater diversity.
Replanting remains useful when soils are too damaged or natural regrowth is insufficient. The choice of species will, however, have to take into account drought, extreme heat and the growing risk of forest fires. Replanting only maritime pines over large areas could keep the forest highly vulnerable.
Preventing the next fires in Gironde
The current fire highlights the importance of clearing undergrowth, access for emergency services and respecting restrictions in forest areas. A cigarette end, an uncontrolled fire or a risky activity during a drought can have huge consequences. The prefecture also reported several arrests for dangerous behaviour linked to the fire risk.
In the face of climate change, the Gironde forest must be seen as a living territory, but also as a space to protect collectively. The 2026 fires are not just another crisis: they make it urgent to adapt the forest, strengthen prevention and support ecological recovery.
