Two firefighters lost their lives while working to extinguish a major fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in southwestern France. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the casualties, identifying the incident as a building fire that reportedly began as a brush fire near an airport parking area.
Approximately 100 firefighters, supported by aerial crews, are currently responding to the scene. The disaster has disrupted airport operations, causing delays for numerous arriving flights. Minister Nuñez stated he would visit the Gironde department promptly to monitor the emergency response.
Gironde is currently experiencing significant wildfire activity exacerbated by prolonged heatwaves. Satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicates that over 42,000 hectares of land have burned in France since January, a record-breaking figure. These conditions reflect a broader trend of intense heat and fire risk across Europe, which scientists attribute to global climate change.
