Wildfires sweeping across southwestern France have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, disrupted operations at key defence and aerospace facilities, and dealt a major blow to the regional economy as authorities continue efforts to contain the blaze.
The fires, burning across the Gironde department since July 22, have scorched nearly 42,000 hectares, displaced around 220,000 people, and destroyed approximately 240 homes, according to French officials. Although firefighters managed to stabilize the fire overnight, authorities warned that rising temperatures and falling humidity could allow the flames to spread again.
Several strategically important defence and aerospace manufacturers located near Bordeaux have activated emergency measures as the fire moved closer to industrial zones.
The French Defence Ministry said 1,500 military personnel have been deployed since Saturday to support firefighting operations and help secure sensitive industrial facilities.
Rocket propulsion manufacturer ArianeGroup said it remains in constant contact with national and local authorities to ensure the protection of its facilities, which produce propulsion systems for Europe's Ariane launch vehicles and France's M51 nuclear ballistic missile program.
Missile propulsion manufacturer Roxel, a subsidiary of European defence company MBDA, confirmed that safety measures had been implemented at its Saint-Médard-en-Jalles facility, where solid-propellant systems for tactical missiles are manufactured.
Defence contractor Dassault Aviation relocated sensitive equipment from its Martignas production site and Cestas logistics center to its Mérignac facility and nearby Air Base 106 as a precaution. Most employees at the Mérignac and Martignas sites have been instructed to remain at home until conditions improve.
The Mérignac facility is responsible for assembling and testing Rafale fighter jets and Falcon business aircraft.
Airbus Atlantic also evacuated workers from its Salaunes manufacturing plant after local authorities ordered precautionary evacuations. The facility produces fuselage sections for Airbus A220 and A350 aircraft.
The wildfires have also disrupted thousands of businesses across Gironde.
According to France's Economy Ministry, more than 13,000 businesses, including approximately 7,000 craft enterprises and 6,300 retailers, fall within evacuation zones and have been unable to operate normally. The Bordeaux-Gironde Chamber of Commerce estimates that nearly 130,000 employees have experienced work disruptions.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure described the situation as an "economic thunderbolt" for the region and announced emergency assistance for affected businesses in Gironde, Landes, and Var. Companies forced to suspend operations because of evacuation orders will be eligible for government-backed partial unemployment support.
The fires have also impacted tourism, forestry, and agriculture.
Hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators have reported cancellations during the peak summer travel season, while operations in the Landes de Gascogne forest, one of France's largest commercial timber-producing regions—have been interrupted.
Although Bordeaux's vineyards have escaped direct fire damage, wine producers have expressed concern that prolonged smoke exposure could affect grape quality ahead of this year's harvest.
Economists warn the financial impact is likely to extend well beyond the immediate destruction. Lost productivity, disrupted supply chains, business closures, and reconstruction costs are expected to weigh on the regional economy for months after the fires are extinguished.
Emergency crews remain on high alert as weather forecasts predict hotter and drier conditions later this week, raising the risk of renewed fire activity across southwestern France.
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