A recent forest fire near the village of Le Porge in southern France has led to the discovery of 400 historic shells and munitions. Local authorities reported that the intense heat from the blaze triggered a series of explosions, which were initially mistaken for ruptured gas cylinders.
Mayor Martial Zaninetti described the scene as reminiscent of wartime conditions, noting that over 100 blasts occurred during the second night of the fire. The hidden ammunition depots, which were previously unknown to municipal officials, included both French and German mortar and anti-tank shells. Some of these projectiles were launched in various directions by the heat, with at least one striking a residential building.
While demining efforts have allowed many residents to return, certain areas, including parts of La Jenny, remain restricted. The wildfire, which ravaged the Gironde region for roughly 10 days before being contained, destroyed more than 180 homes. In total, the south-west of France has seen 42,000 hectares burned, marking it as one of the most significant wildfire events in the country since the end of the Second World War.
Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornu acknowledged the severity of the crisis, praising the efforts of firefighters as the region begins a transition into a recovery phase. Across Europe, particularly in France and Spain, extreme fire conditions have forced the evacuation of over 330,000 people over the past two weeks.
