EXCLUSIVE: Holidaymakers have been urged to avoid visiting Bordeaux and the surrounding area, after thousands of people were evacuated away from a massive and “unpredictable” wildfire near the iconic French city
A British expat has revealed her Bordeaux flat smells “like really strong burning” as the wildfire advances to within nine miles of the French city.
Karen Kissane, 51, from Newcastle, was on holiday in Barcelona when the terrifying news about firefighters struggling to contain a wildfire near her home of the past six years. After returning to Bordeaux from holiday, Karen described the city as feeling “eerie” and filled with the pungent smell of smoke.
She told the Mirror: “We will be getting out just to get some fresh air, because, of course, the fires are a worry, but the air quality and the breathing it in is not pleasant as well. I mean, in my apartment right now it smells of burning inside.
“The windows are closed, the doors are closed, and it smells like really strong burning inside my apartment, which we all have to sleep with. When I opened the front door, there was ash in the doorway. So, there’s obviously ash particles in the air as well.”
Karen had been unsure about whether to return home after she filtered through contradictory information online and made the decision earlier to catch the flight back to Bordeaux.
“When I got off the plane and walked down the steps, the smell of burning in the air really hit me, um, and it just felt really hot and humid, and there was wind in the air that was blowing the burning smell around,” business strategist Karen added.
“I could really sense that the fires could spread quickly because of the breeze. I have an apartment in the centre of Bordeaux, and I’m looking out the window now, and it’s all white outside.” Karen described the felling in Bordeaux as “strange” with quiet streets during peak tourist season in the picturesque French city.
While the horror scenes she had seen on TV were not a reflection of the situation in the heart of the city, an unease continued to hang in the air. “I was driving back to my apartment, which is in the centre of Bordeaux, just on the river, and it just felt strange. It felt like there was something not right.”
French firefighters are struggling to contain massive blazes following a streak of three heatwaves in the country already this summer with another predicted for next week. A total of 65,000 to 70,000 British citizens live across the southern regions of France, making up roughly 43 per cent of the country’s total British population
Holidaymakers have been urged to stay away from Bordeaux amid ongoing evacuations in nearby areas. Sadly, it is a similar story across much of southern Europe, with fires blazing across parts of Spain, Italy as well as England and Scotland.
Sophie Brocas, the prefect for Nouvelle-Aquitaine, said: “We urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control. I encourage tourists who are already here to consider another destination.”
Karen said she will be constantly monitoring the situation around Bordeaux and will take her two children, aged 14 and 16, to a holiday property about an hour and a half north of the city should the situation suddenly change. The mum said she “wouldn’t hesitate” to make a fast decision.
“My priority is the safety of my kids and, at this moment in time, no one really knows what can happen over the coming days, and that’s part of the problem,” she said. “The unpredictability is very difficult to plan for.”
“It could get better, or it could get a whole lot worse, and I don’t like that feeling of not knowing. With the breeze I mentioned, you can see how suddenly it can take hold, and head in a different direction or get worse.”
Karen revealed some of her friends were forced to leave their holiday homes in nearby Cap Ferret as firefighters battled to contain the fire. She added: “I do have some friends who have holiday properties in Cap Ferret and the areas that are worst hit, and they’ve been evacuated. I know of people who were evacuated at 3am, and they literally had to pick everything up and leave. For anyone who’s holidaying in that area, it’s an, it’s an absolute no-go.”
The Foreign Office said in new travel advice issued on Sunday: “French authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation and some residential areas. Access to affected areas may be restricted and roads may close at short notice. Further evacuations may take place.
“If you are in an affected area, or planning to travel there: follow instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times, and call 112 if you need emergency help. Check with your accommodation or travel provider before travelling.”
