Gironde and Landes wildfires trigger highway closures and rail disruptions

Severe wildfires sweeping Gironde, Landes and other parts of southwestern France have forced authorities to impose extensive safety measures. The A63 motorway between Bordeaux and Bayonne was closed on 26 July, with drivers diverted onto the A64, A65 and A62 routes. Vinci Autoroutes issued detailed detour instructions and urged travellers to cancel trips to the affected zones.

The French prefectures declared an exceptional fire‑risk level, banning access to all forest massifs in Pyrénées‑Orientales, La Turballe (Gironde) and the Bas‑Rhin, and prohibiting any open fires, fireworks, motorised leisure activities and barbecues. Violations carry fines and possible imprisonment.

Rail services have been heavily impacted: the SNCF halted all TGVs south of Bordeaux, made regional TERs unavailable, and extended free ticket exchanges and refunds until 31 July. The company advises passengers to postpone journeys to the southwest. Clarifications were issued that hunting of wild boar may continue under existing seasonal regulations but does not permit entry into closed forests.

These coordinated restrictions aim to protect the public, facilitate emergency response and limit further fire spread.