9:00 a.m. – READ. Retardant, an ally of firefighters under scientific supervision
Firefighters resorted massively to retardant, a red liquid based on ammonium phosphate dropped by plane to stop the progression of the flames. Without PFAS or proven immediate danger to wildlife, this product can however affect aquatic environments by promoting the proliferation of algae. More concerning: a 2024 American study detected heavy metals in high concentrations in a similar retardant, raising questions about Fire-Trol 931 used in France.
8:35 a.m. – The situation is improving in the Landes
In the Landes, the situation has improved. The fire is “fixed” after burning 3,600 hectares and 198 buildings. The “residents of the communes of Sanguinet and Parentis-en-Born” can “return to their homes”, announced the prefect of Landes, as can those of the village of Biscarrosse and the residents of a campsite north of the town. That is, in total, 15,000 people.
In the Var, outbreaks of the Gros Bessillon fire were “contained” Monday evening, the prefecture announced. In Corsica, the fire is still in progress while the fire in the Hautes-Alpes was fixed after covering 510 hectares.
7:55 a.m. – READ. Gironde’s strategic sites under close surveillance
The fire which has ravaged the Gironde since July 22 threatens a very important industrial fabric. Nuclear missiles, atomic simulation laser, strategic aircraft manufacturers… Faced with the progression of the flames, the Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez announced the strengthening of the protection of sensitive sites “which are beyond the fire front line”.
7:42 a.m. – The megafire in Gironde is “still stabilized”
The megafire which has burned 42,000 hectares in Gironde since July 22 is “still stabilized” Tuesday morning after a “calm” night, we learned from the department prefecture.
“Several outbreaks of fire were dealt with last night but are under control (north of Porge, north of Cap Ferret at the dune area) thanks to the work of the firefighters. The burned surface has not changed,” according to the same source.
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During the day, Météo France forecasts a rise in temperatures of up to 33 to 35°C inland, accompanied by a wind oriented to the southeast, with westerly ocean breezes on the coast, which could fuel the blaze again.
7:35 a.m. – Gironde and Landes on heatwave yellow alert
Météo France has placed Gironde and Landes (south-west) on yellow “heatwave” vigilance from this noon, like more than ten departments in eastern France.
France must go through a new heat wave, with a peak on Wednesday where peaks of 40°C should be observed in the South-West.
7:15 a.m. – A volunteer firefighter died in Bouches-du-Rhône
A volunteer firefighter died on Monday, after the tanker truck he was driving alone went off the road north of Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), we learned from SDIS 13. In a press release, the firefighters deplore the death at the age of 38 of this volunteer in an accident which occurred “at the end of the preventive system put in place in the context of the forest fire risk”.
The causes of the accident have not been determined. On Monday, two tanker truck accidents occurred near fire sites: one in Corsica and the other in Var. But in these two cases, the occupants suffered only minor injuries.
Bouches-du-Rhône, like the entire south of France, has been exposed to high fire risks for several weeks. Four firefighters died in just over two weeks in France.
The night’s news
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No TGV will run south of Bordeaux on Tuesday, apart from those serving Agen and Toulouse, due to the fires hitting the South-West, SNCF announced Monday evening.
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The fire, which occurred Thursday near Biscarrosse in Landes, is now “fixed”, announced Emmanuel Macron.
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The outbreak of the Gros Bessillon fire in the Var, on the 7th day of fighting this fire, was “contained” in the evening, the prefecture announced in a press release.
