08/05/2026
Tuesday, 5 August 2026
A Boomer in Bordeaux
FIRE UPDATE
Across France, police have arrested 308 people in connection with the fires, of whom 33 are being held in custody. Many wildfires are started by people, intentionally and unintentionally. The fires near Bordeaux metro have been contained but some areas are still burning. So, we still need to be cautious. Many who were evacuated from their homes a week ago have returned. Around 250 homes burned, last reports I read, along with many hectares of forest, an area as large as Detroit. This was the biggest fire in France since 1949. This SW region isn’t known for fires, but in the last few years due to the high heat index from global warming, winds, and careless people, we’re seeing these devastating fires break out in many countries worldwide.
I’m grateful for the French firefighters and many citizen volunteers who fought and are still fighting these fires. Those who managed to contain the raging inferno fire heading toward Bordeaux, are unsung heroes. Thanks to them we didn’t have to evacuate the city of Bordeaux. We stayed relatively safe. They could not control the smoke though. And the authorities and media kept us informed everyday. France is not accustomed to fighting wildfires, so it has been a huge challenge. I applaud their brave efforts and endurance in the field.
Now, the weather is finally cooperating too. The temps have dropped down to the mid 70s to mid 80s and we’ve had rain. Over the last few days we could barely smell the smoke. Yesterday, we had clean air and clear skies but that doesn’t mean we’re totally out of the woods yet as long as fires are still burning in the forests west of us.
We all in Bordeaux thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and cheery wishes–those warm vibrations worked. Life goes on, even for those who lost property, they are alive and can rebuild if they wish.
I still feel we residents need alliances with the city and prefect to form community preparedness teams throughout the city, suburbs, and villages here to help support each other and our first responders. Who’s in?
Oh, just what I need, another project.🌝
Stay safe and keep checking in on one another. This concludes my Fire and city status update. Bon nuit!
