On holiday near wildfires - WTF to do?

[thetinsoldier]

We’re in Bordeaux, 40k from the fires. It’s really smoky, the sun is covered by smoke and it’s really quite scary. Have spoken to neighbours and they say the smoke is just being blown this way, we’re not in danger, but it’s horrible and scary.

What would you do??

On French news - Préfet of the region has just stated that tourists should not make there way to the Gironde. At least not until the fire has been contained.

The fire is currently not under control, the weather tomorrow is due to be 42°c and is windy.

What the authorities tell you to do.

I realised a bit later after I'd posted - I hadn't read the full exchanges

Utterly terrifying for those living in those areas

If you are going to Poitiers I would continue North. Friend has just confirmed that the smell of smoke is really bad in the Villeneuve sur lot area.

Just on the news it’s getting closer to Bordeaux

hope your safe just seen the updates

Hahaha all the people saying leave.

I live not far from Bordeaux. It stinks doesn’t it!

The Gironde is a large region. Only the north is affected.

Maybe your partner could at least read a map 🤣🤣🤣 Glad you got rid of him.

Leave and be thankful you are safe! Maybe get an internal flight somewhere else and spend the remaining of your holidays there. No need to go home and miss completely all your holidays.

Please leave if you can. My friend was in Cotignac and the fire has swept through her house and garden. Just devastating and unbelievably fast.

I know what you mean. My exH was just like this. He lost it badly with me once because I questioned whether doing a six-hour drive in torrential rain was wise.

Could you head north for a few days? Could you afford to book a hotel somewhere like La Rochelle? As you have a car, you will probably feel better if you remove the feeling of immediate danger. Hopefully the picture will be clearer in a couple of days as to whether you could return to your rental in Bordeaux, if it's better to stay further away or if you want to cut your losses and come home.

Sorry just seen you've already got a short term plan, perfect!

Double post, sorry

Did you manage to get away? @thetinsoldier? Are you all OK?

How did you even enjoy your holiday with all this going on!?

May have been mentioned earlier, the area by the airport is on an evacuation order (husband has an office very close to the airport) so keep an eye on which areas are affected!

Also suggest you leave. Friends and family who live there have self evacuated even if not told to yet. It will also ease pressure for the locals.

OP already said they booked a new place ‘a couple of hours inland’ and planned to leave yesterday morning.

Can report that middle of Dordogne today is absolutely fine, blue sky and sunny and no smell of smoke.

And just north of Dordogne (two hours east of Bordeaux) the past two days have been blue sky and clean air again.

I would ignore a negative review if it was just a bleat the the host did not refund the cost of the accommodation.
I would just think that the reviewer should have had adequate insurance and that that it was not the host’s fault and disregard that review. The guests is only losing £5k -
and has a home to go to - the effect on the hosts businnes and livelihood will be far more serious -they may lose the house completely as many have already. At the very least v they will lose bookings this summer and probable several to come as people stay away from the area.

My mum lives very close to there and they are on red alert. The wind also keeps changing; so when you think its not coming your way, it actually changes direction.

My mum is ready to evacuate if needs be. Just a note that some roads are already closing and to evacuate they are starting to use boats.

I would personally leave. I know its hard when you've paid, but its not a holiday if you are stressed about getting trapped there. Come home.

Leave!!
Leave before everybody has to all at once.
Before the roads clog
The airlines stop flying because of the ash

Your having a memorable adventure. Ffs live to have another rather than try to eak a holiday out of a national disaster.

If you're in a car you can currently drive east to most of the rest of europe.

I asked my dh. He said said buy some marsh mallows

She already left.