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144,000 Return as Gironde Wildfire Burns 42,000 ha, 308 Detained

7/31/2026

37 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said 144,000 of the 220,000 evacuated residents may now return home after the wildfire was contained.
The fire burned 42,000 hectares of pine forest in the Landes area west of Bordeaux and destroyed hundreds of houses.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 308 people have been detained on suspicion of arson this year, as the wildfire season has already surpassed the 2022 record.

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Story summary

Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said 144,000 of the 220,000 evacuated residents may now return home after the wildfire was contained.
The fire burned 42,000 hectares of pine forest in the Landes area west of Bordeaux and destroyed hundreds of houses.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 308 people have been detained on suspicion of arson this year, as the wildfire season has already surpassed the 2022 record.