200,000 Evacuees Return Home in Gironde Amid Ongoing Wildfires in Var
As of July 31, 2026, severe wildfires in southern and southwestern France have triggered fresh emergency evacuations in the Var department while recovery efforts slowly advance in the Gironde. According to regional authorities, residents and visitors were forced to flee the municipalities of Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens following a dangerous flare-up of the Gros Bessillon fire driven by intense seasonal winds.
The Escalating Crisis in the Var Department
According to field reports, the blaze reignited during the afternoon hours, fueled aggressively by a powerful mistral wind that rapidly pushed flames toward populated zones.
Progress and Ongoing Vulnerability in the Gironde
Meanwhile, the situation in the Gironde department presents a contrasting narrative of gradual stabilization tempered by persistent danger. Sophie Brocas, the prefect of Gironde, confirmed that nearly 200,000 evacuees have successfully returned to their homes across approximately twenty municipalities within the department.
This massive logistical homecoming represents the vast majority of the 220,000 total residents who were initially displaced by the massive regional blazes. Yet, caution remains paramount.