Gironde fire. In Saumos, the fire which broke out on Monday continues to progress this Wednesday, September 14. More than 3500 hectares were burned, while nearly 900 evacuations were carried out. The weather should not help the firefighters.
[Mis à jour le 14 septembre à 12h05] “The fire remains active.” In Saumos, in Gironde, the concern is still there. This Wednesday, September 14, 2022, two days after the start of a fire in this sector located between Lacanau and Bordeaux, the flames continue to advance. During the morning, the sub-prefect announced that 3620 hectares of forest had already burned, or about 400 new hectares during the night. The 900 firefighters mobilized on site are working to slow the progression of a fire which could continue its damage due to the wind. Six Canadairs, three Dash and two water bomber helicopters were deployed in support of the ground forces. Despite the means committed, the fire is still not stabilized. “We had very unfavorable fires which made us start several homes again,” explained Didier Chautard, mayor of Saumos, on France Blue Gironde.
If only material damage is to be deplored for the time being, numerous evacuations had to take place. Thus, about 900 people left their homes, taken care of in reception centers in the surrounding municipalities. Their return is, at this stage, still not scheduled, given the weather which does not help the firefighters. The rain is not expected before… September 25 according to Météo-France, which is banking on spring temperatures in the days to come, with a few gusts of wind. “Even if we like sunny summers, we would dream of rain to extinguish these fires”, commented Jean-Luc Gleyzes, president of the departmental council of Gironde, on France Blue Gironde.
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.
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, 840 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.