Anyone about to drive to the South of France and feeling a bit worried?

[Enfrancais]

Just that really. These wild fires look terrifying.

Anyone?

I'm not, thankfully! But have to say under the current circumstances I REALLY WOULD NOT!!!

Yes, but it's a very large country.

Well if you are going to be far away from the fires and not passing through any areas near them don't worry.

They’re not going to let you drive through anywhere dangerous. They’ll close roads etc if need be.

if you’re referring to Cap Ferret that’s South-west France. Where are you going and when?

Depends where you're going. France is huge. The fires are on the West coast. If you were heading down to the South coast, to Montpellier for example, or St Tropez, or going east of Paris, then no, I wouldn't be concerned at all.

I think it’s fine in the South East at the moment. I’ve also been on a motorway in France in the past that’s been closed because of a forest fire and it was all extremely well-handled and well-organised.

That's good news. Final destination is Antibes.

Antibes is 955km away from where the fire 🔥 in France is burning

Yes its the bloody fire map that makes it look like the whole world is currently burning (it is).

We’re camping in Dordogne at the moment and it’s fine. Friends arrived at Bordeaux airport yesterday and drove here without a problem.

That's good to know! I'll step away from the fire map...

Sorry @Enfrancais but I'm seeing that Antibes about 60miles away from fire? Is that enough?

and someone has started a thread, looks like major issues outskirts of Bordeaux

Well we are in the south east and no bother at all

@WatermelonSalad1 where are you seeing this? The fire map is not always showing actual fires or fires of concern. Bordeaux is very far away.

Any chance of a link to the thread? I’m just over an hour east/northeast of Bordeaux at the moment and I know more recent arrivals via Bordeaux airport got here no problem. I think the fires are southwest of Bordeaux at Cap Ferret and on down towards Spain.

There are some small fires in the south east/provence but they are the usual types of fires that they get every year and are generally under control. There’s been a lot of effort over the last 20 years or so to put in measures to stop fires spreading too much and they’ve broadly been successful so while you still get fires, they tend to be manageable.

Too late to edit the above to say I’ve found it: the poster in that thread only arrived today and is worried much like this @Enfrancais .
It’s no fun smelling the smoke of the fires - that happened to us one year but the wind can carry the smoke quite far. It doesn’t mean they’re in any danger - and it definitely doesn’t mean the OP here can’t go to Antibes which is nowhere near the fires! I’m a LOT closer than they will be at any point on their journey, and we’re not affected at all.

Its Les Arcs-sur-Argens but apparently it's under control

I think that's about 60 miles away from where you're going? That may well be enough. Fires all over the UK at the moment so we're probably all near one of those like 60 miles away from one of those

I thought it was best to just say in case you were finding it hard to get information. I heard it from one of DH's friends who is in that region at the moment

No, you are right. We don't get to that point until Tuesday so will have to check the route then. We have had a wild fire in our little village in the week, its like everywhere is just exploding. Still no rain forecast for a good while.

Thank you for the information.

The fire maps show the risk levels for the region. The Var is usually red through the summer, especially when the Mistral is blowing.

For the most up to date info, you need to follow the fire brigade and Prefet for each departement on FB. The fire brigades are usually SDIS(departement number) - so for the Var it is SDIS83, Alpes Maritimes is SDIS06 etc. They are still at the Pontevès fire as it keeps restarting. The A8 passes underneath that area so you may still see activity. Also, when you pass through the Maures and the Esterèl, if the fire risk is red, the rest areas on the motorway will be shut so plan your loo breaks accordingly!

Don't worry too much, they are very well trained and organised. In our Commune, there is an alert system in place, so if anything happens, you get an alert on your mobile.

Youl be fine. All my family live in Antibes (have a lovely trip)

We had a very brief thunderstorm last night with a tiny amount of rain and some gusts of wind. This morning I can smell smoke but no sign of any emergency so far.

This happened to us one other year (we’ve been to this place several times) when there were huge forest fires near Bordeaux but as there’s no wind now I suspect it’s closer, maybe caused by a tree being hit by lightning last night. Will let you know if I hear more.

Anyway Antibes is not concerned and it doesn’t seem as though your drive to the south east should be a problem. Enjoy your holiday!