Forest Fires – PIP #110

By Louise Peloquin

    American media have largely covered the unprecedented inferno consuming southern Europe.

From January to the end of July, wildfires destroyed approximately 287,000 acres in France. In the Gironde region, over 220,000 people were forced to evacuate. Mayor Thomas Cazenave of Bordeaux, the largest city in the southwest, announced that he was “ready for anything” given that the conflagration was only 9.3 miles away from the center.

More than 370,000 acres have burned in Spain since January, six times more than the area destroyed in 2025. Although wildfires scorch Spain yearly, the summer of 2026 conflagración is exceptional, prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to declare a civil protection emergency on Tuesday July 28th.

Una conflagrazione also hit Italy’s southern Adriatic coast where fire forces evacuated more than 400 beachgoers and tourists by boat, the only viable evacuation route.

Paris was burning when it reached 107 degrees in June. Details on the summer’s second Parisian heatwave are on this link:

https://richardhowe.com/2026/07/07/a-bigger-splash-in-a-bigger-heat/

And now, parts of southern Europe are literally being swallowed up by seemingly uncontrollable flames and toxic smoke.

We express our gratitude to the valiant individuals all over the world who risk their lives daily and we pause to honor the four firefighters who have most recently sacrificed their lives in the service of their French compatriots.

Décès en service commandé – morts au feu

(Death in commanded service – died at the fire)

• On May 28, 2026, 28-year-old Dylan Pinoteau of Marseille.
• On July 8, 2026, 22-year-old Baptiste Gerfaud-Valentin of Albertville.
• On July 21, 2026, 34-year-old Anthony Berthome of Saint-Médard-en-Jalles in Gironde.
• On July 21, 2026, 34-year-old Wilfried Schmitter of Saint-Ménard-en-Jules in Gironde.

Alas, the following L’Etoile editorial remains relevant.

L’ETOILE – July 20, 1944 editorial

FOREST FIRES

     Every year, our region is greatly affected by forest fires. However, this year’s situation is more disastrous than ever because fire is not only attacking trees but also villages and cities.

     The principal factor for these fires is certainly the high temperature. No one can be blamed or held responsible.

     These tragedies should make us reflect upon the terrible consequences of forest fires. They should be an opportunity for us to fully grasp the necessity of being even more alert when spending time in the forest.

     The competent authorities should also search for even more effective means than those presently at their disposal in order to fight what, for several days, has proven to be a real threat causing losses mounting to many millions of dollars. (1)

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1) Translation by Louise Peloquin.