southwest France
Coverage of southwest France in the Nexus archive.
- After wildfires, southwest France faces puzzle of rebuilding a 'new forest'
Southwest France is grappling with the challenge of rebuilding a 'new forest' after wildfires. A maritime pine forest in the town of Le Temple was affected by a fire on August 1, 2026.
- As heat and dry conditions fan wildfires in France, volunteers fan out to help
Wildfires in southwestern France, exacerbated by heat and drought, have displaced nearly 250,000 people. Volunteers like Jean-François Pauner assist firefighters in combating blazes, which have burned 42,000 hectares. Drought and climate change have created fire-prone conditions, with similar wildfires reported across Europe.
- Battle against monster wildfire in France boosted by improving weather
A massive wildfire in southwest France has displaced thousands, including George and Amal Clooney, but crews are making progress due to improving weather conditions.
- Battle against monster wildfire in France boosted by improving weather
A massive wildfire in southwest France, displacing thousands including George and Amal Clooney, is being controlled by crews as improving weather aids efforts.
- Tens of thousands of French wildfire evacuees allowed to return home as cooler weather moves in
French authorities allowed 84,000 wildfire evacuees in southwest France to return home as cooler weather and rain improved conditions. The fire, which burned an area four times the size of Paris, has not grown beyond 42,000 hectares, with two-thirds of evacuees now permitted to return. Firefighters and international resources continue battling blazes across Europe, including in England, Spain, Turkey, and Romania, where a nuclear plant reduced operations due to low river levels.
- Tens of thousands of French wildfire evacuees allowed to return home
French authorities permitted 84,000 evacuees displaced by a massive wildfire to return to their homes in southwest France, indicating progress in containing the blaze that has scorched an area four times the size of Paris.
- Live: Fontainebleau fire contained, but southern Europe on high alert as wildfires rage
A wildfire four times the size of Paris threatened southwest France, while three firefighters died in Greece. Firefighters in Fontainebleau contained a flare-up, but southern Europe faces severe wildfires due to heat, drought, and strong winds.
- From deer to hedgehogs: Wildfires devastate France's wildlife
Wildfires in southwest France are causing thousands of wild animals, including deer and hedgehogs, to perish or require rescue. Firefighters and volunteers are working to save animals unable to outrun the flames or access food and water.
- The Latest: Fire crews in southwest France battle massive blaze as they face extreme temperatures
Firefighters in southwest France are battling a massive blaze four times the size of Paris amid extreme heat above 40°C, displacing 220,000 people. Two firefighters died in a wildfire on Crete, Greece, while Spain faces its fourth summer heat wave with out-of-control blazes affecting 330,000 people. Evacuees in Spain and France report severe economic damage to homes and businesses.
- French wildfires: FRANCE 24 goes on the ground with firefighters
The Gironde prefecture reported a second calm night with the southwest France wildfire stable, but conditions are expected to worsen due to an incoming heatwave with temperatures above 40°C. FRANCE 24 accompanied firefighters to identify sensitive areas affected by the blaze.
- The Latest: Fire crews in southwest France battle massive blaze as they face extreme temperatures
Firefighters in southwest France are battling a massive blaze four times the size of Paris amid extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C, displacing 220,000 people. Similar wildfires and heatwaves in Spain and the UK have led to widespread evacuations, with Spain preparing for its fourth heatwave of the summer.
- The Latest: Fire crews in southwest France battle massive blaze as they face extreme temperatures
Firefighters in southwest France are battling a mega-fire four times the size of Paris amid extreme temperatures.
- You can only see these fire clouds during huge wildfires
A huge fire in southwest France has generated the country's first recorded pyrocumulonimbus fire cloud, which are more common in Canada. These clouds form during wildfires and exacerbate their intensity.
- Live: Massive wildfire in southwest France 'remains under control'
A massive wildfire burning 42,000 hectares in southwest France over the past week remains under control after a second quiet night, though regional authorities warn hot and dry weather conditions remain unfavourable.
- A 2:47 a.m. alert, a rabbit and 220,000 evacuees as France’s wildfire rages on
A massive wildfire in southwest France has forced over 220,000 people to evacuate. An alert was issued at 2:47 a.m.
- Building a 'different kind of forest' after devastating wildfires
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild a different kind of forest in southwest France after devastating wildfires, stating the coming weeks will be challenging. The discussion included insights from Yuval Zelnik, a researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences' Ecology Department.
- Wildfire in southwest France highlights Seveso sites' vulnerability to forest fires
A wildfire in southwest France has raised concerns about the vulnerability of Seveso sites to forest fires. The Airbus Safran Launchers facility in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, classified as a Seveso site, was observed via satellite imagery.
- Firefighters in France hold back vast wildfire as heat returns to test their grip
Firefighters in southwest France have prevented a vast wildfire from advancing overnight. They extinguished flare-ups near Atlantic coast dunes as returning heat and drier air threaten to challenge their control.
- France firestorm phenomenon: monster clouds that spawn lightning and new blazes
A wildfire in southwest France generated a thunderstorm with lightning that ignited new fires, creating a self-sustaining pyrocumulonimbus cloud. The phenomenon, rare in Europe, produced erratic winds that spread flames unpredictably.
- News Wrap: French firefighters battle massive wildfire
Firefighters in southwest France are battling a wildfire that has forced over 200,000 people to flee. Nearly 100 million Americans are under active heat alerts, and traffic has begun on a new bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada.
- France races to contain fires before new heatwave
President Emmanuel Macron reported that a forest fire in southwest France was contained, but a larger fire near Bordeaux remains active. Western Europe is preparing for new heatwaves this week.
- French president pledges support on visit to fire zone, vows: 'We will win this battle together'
French President Emmanuel Macron visited a wildfire coordination center in southwest France, praising firefighters for containing a blaze that displaced 220,000 people and urging continued efforts amid forecasted heat waves. He described the crisis as France's worst fire-related situation since World War II, with flames approaching Bordeaux and requiring extensive resources to control.
- Wildfires: The ominous 'fire clouds' or 'pyrocumulonimbus' seen in France for the first time
French firefighters are confronting pyrocumulonimbus clouds, a first-time occurrence in France, caused by extreme wildfires in southwest France. The phenomenon is linked to human-related climate change by researcher Jean-Baptiste Filippi.
- REPLAY: 'Unprecedented' fire stable but not fully contained, says French Interior minister
France's interior minister stated that a major wildfire has stopped growing after displacing 220,000 people in the southwest, though it remains uncontained. The minister emphasized the need for continued focus and determination to address the situation.
- France, Spain battle ‘monster’ wildfires with another heatwave on the way
Over 325,000 people fled homes in southwest France and central Spain due to severe wildfires, with another heatwave expected to worsen the situation. France and Spain are battling some of the worst forest fires in their history.
- France wildfires creep toward wine city of Bordeaux
A wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight, increasing the total evacuees in the region to 220,000 as flames approach the wine city of Bordeaux.
- French firefighters battle blazes with military cargo planes
French firefighters are battling wildfires that have forced over 300,000 people to flee, using a converted A400M military cargo aircraft to drop retardant in southwest France. The unpredictable blazes have overwhelmed fire crews, prompting the deployment of military resources to contain the spread.
- Wildfires ravage southwest France: Thousands face devastation after evacuation
A wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight, increasing the total to 220,000 displaced in the Gironde region. Flames near Bordeaux are exacerbated by shifting winds and arid conditions, complicating efforts to control the blaze.
- Wildfires keep southwest France on edge: Evacuations top 200,000
Wildfires in southwest France have led to over 200,000 evacuations, keeping the region on edge. FRANCE 24 reporter Luke Shrago has provided further information on the situation.
- Wildfire forces another 55,000 people to evacuate in southwest France
A wildfire in southwest France forced 55,000 people to evacuate overnight, raising the total evacuees to 220,000. The flames are advancing toward the wine region city of Bordeaux.
- Wildfire forces another 55,000 people to evacuate in southwest France
A wildfire in southwest France forced 55,000 more people to evacuate overnight, raising the total to 220,000 as flames advanced toward Bordeaux. Authorities in the Gironde region ordered evacuations for five additional localities due to wind-fueled fire spread.
- Unprecedented fires in France: Southwest France battles two wildfires
Unprecedented wildfires are occurring in Southwest France, where two fires are currently being battled. The article is reported by Luke Shrago.
- 'The problem has been extremely high winds': Wildfires sweep through southwest France
Wildfires are sweeping through southwest France, fueled by 'tinder-box dry conditions' and extremely high winds. The fires are approaching the city of Bordeaux, as reported by FRANCE 24 reporter Luke Shrago.
- France: Two major wildfires hit the southwest forcing tourists to evacuate
Deadly wildfires in France's southwest, fueled by climate change and scorching temperatures, have forced over 20,000 evacuations, including tourists, as firefighters battle the flames near Bordeaux during the peak summer holiday season.
- In pictures: Wildfires ravage parts of southern France
Thousands of people were evacuated in southwest France as a wildfire destroyed a seaside pine forest. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze, which began around midday on Wednesday.