The ORANGE vigilance level (level 3 out of 5) for forest fire prevention is effective in Gironde starting this Thursday, September 24, 2026, and until further notice. This decision was made by the department's prefect, Sophie Brocas, due to meteorological conditions.
In exposed areas of forest-dominant municipalities, several prohibitions are now in effect. Between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM, festive, sporting, and cultural events are prohibited. Incineration of vegetation, controlled burning, carbonization activities, and isolated bivouacking or camping are also forbidden, even with authorization. The use of thermal and electric motors is restricted during these same hours.
Free human presence is prohibited from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM in these forest areas, with exceptions for access to developed leisure sites, water bodies, water sports bases, and the EuroVelo 1 and 3 cycling routes. Residents, property owners, and certain authorized professionals can access under specific conditions.
Throughout the Gironde department, the use of thermal brush-cutting tools like blowtorches, burning green waste in the open air, using flying lanterns, and setting off private fireworks are now forbidden. Public fireworks are also prohibited, except for those launched over water or from the beach towards the open sea, outside of exposed forest areas.
Human presence, whether free or supervised, remains prohibited within areas already affected by fires, except for individuals with a legitimate interest, such as property owners or forest managers.
Sophie Brocas calls for heightened vigilance and strict adherence to prevention measures to ensure everyone's safety and protect natural spaces.
