the fire is no longer advancing, the map of its progress

Gironde fire. The fire that broke out in Saumos (Gironde) is no longer advancing this Thursday, September 15, 2022. But it is far from being extinguished. The weather will be decisive.

[Mis à jour le 15 septembre à 8 heures] Will the damage from the fire that broke out in Saumos be limited in Gironde? This Thursday, September 15, 2022 in the morning, the fire which affects this sector located west of Bordeaux, in the Médoc Regional Natural Park, is no longer causing further damage. Indeed, since Wednesday evening, the flames are “contained”, that is to say that the fire is no longer progressing, in the immediate future. However, it is still subject to increased vigilance because its advance could resume at any time, particularly due to weather conditions. “The night went well” confirmed Lionel Montillaud, the mayor of Sainte-Hélène, a neighboring town also affected by the fire, at the microphone of France info Thursday morning, adding on social media that “the overnight humidity felt good.” However, while 3700 hectares have already burned not far from Lacanau, concerns remain about a resumption of the progression of the fire, because of the wind, even if large gusts are not forecast by Météo France, in the hours or the coming days.

1,840 people have had to be evacuated since Monday, the day the fire started. Preventive evacuations which have so far avoided any human tragedy. Only material damage is to be deplored. However, the air quality of the region deteriorated due to the spread of smoke, which formed a fog in the agglomeration of Bordeaux as well as in the south of Gironde. For their part, 1,000 firefighters are still mobilized to try to extinguish the fire, supported by 6 Canadairs, 3 Dash and 2 bomber helicopters.

Map of the evolution of the fire in Gironde

It was in Saumos, a neighboring town of Lacanau and at the gates of the Médoc, in Gironde, that a new fire broke out on September 12. The fire progresses and threatens the town of Sainte-Hélène, but also the Temple. Below is a map to follow the evolution of the spread of the fire, updated to Thursday September 15, 2022 (8 a.m.).

What is the toll of the fire in Gironde?

Two days after the start of the fire in Saumos, no casualties are to be deplored. Seven firefighters were slightly injured due to smoke-related poisoning. One of them also burned his hand. On the other hand, some material damage should be noted: three houses and five sheds were ravaged by the flames. To prevent any tragedy, around 1,200 people were evacuated from their homes in Saumos, as well as around the town of Sainte-Hélène.

What is the origin of the fire in Gironde?

While the Gironde was suffering from overwhelming heat when the fire broke out on September 12, the first elements of the investigation seem to indicate that the fire is “a priori of criminal origin” according to the Girondin gendarmes . Investigations are continuing to determine the causes of the fire, but the mayor of Saumos is already talking about three separate fire starts. “At this time, it is still too early to say more. We are collecting testimonies and elements on the ground”, simply commented on the sub-prefect.

The Gironde fire took over several hectares of forest in just a few hours, as shown by media images and videos of firefighters or amateurs filmed between yesterday afternoon and this morning.

Several fire watches hit the Girondin department this summer burning nearly 30,000 hectares, notably in Landiras, in the South of Gironde, and in La Teste-de-Buch, near the Bassin d’Arcachon. In July, the first fires and also the most destructive had different origins: that of La Teste was accidental while in Landiras the criminal track was privileged. In August, the fire was due to a resumption of the Landiras fire due to peat fires smoldering underground.