Morgane Bonichot and 220,000 others flee massive French wildfire as it threatens Bordeaux wine region and strategic defense sites
A monster wildfire in southwest France has forced the evacuation of more than 220,000 people in the Gironde region alone, marking one of the largest evacuations in Europe since World War II. Morgane Bonichot, a childcare worker, was among those forced to flee her home near Bordeaux as the flames consumed an area four times the size of Paris. The blaze is threatening key defense and nuclear facilities, including missile and rocket factories and aerospace plants, prompting the deployment of 1,500 military personnel to secure strategic industrial sites. French Economy Minister Roland Lescure reported that the fires have disrupted over 13,000 businesses in the Gironde region. While some areas have been granted permission to return, others remain under evacuation orders as authorities prioritize safety. The fires are exacerbated by a historic heat wave, with temperatures reaching 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Regional authorities have stated that the fire is one of the largest on record for the region, having scorched over 104,000 acres so far.