84,000 people evacuated by the massive wildfire in southwest France to return home

2026, July 30

France

French authorities have allowed 84,000 people evacuated by the massive wildfire in southwest France to return home after cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and light rainfall helped firefighters gain control of the blaze.

Key developments include:

84,000 evacuees from nine communities have been cleared to return, while many others had already been allowed back earlier in the week. At the peak of the crisis, more than 220,000 people were forced to evacuate in France, with over 330,000 displaced across France and Spain combined. The wildfire has burned around 42,000 hectares (420 square kilometres), an area roughly four times the size of Paris.

Around 2,200 firefighters, supported by more than 20 aircraft, remain on the scene to extinguish hotspots and prevent flare-ups.

The important A63 motorway, linking France with Spain, has reopened after being closed because of the fire.

The Bordeaux region has been removed from France's orange heatwave alert, with temperatures expected to fall to about 27°C, improving conditions for firefighters and residents.

Despite the improving weather, officials caution that the fire is not yet fully extinguished. Fire crews are continuing to monitor the area because dry vegetation and changing winds could still trigger new outbreaks.

For many returning residents, the relief of going home is tempered by the reality that some neighborhoods have suffered extensive damage. Reuters reported that some families returned to find homes destroyed and belongings lost, highlighting the long recovery that lies ahead.