Fires in Gironde, what about tourism in Arcachon?
It has been almost a week now that two fires broke out in the Gironde department. In 6 days, more than 11000 hectares suffered the full force of the flames. This particularly worrying event quickly impacted local tourism. In the first days, several campsites had to be evacuated as a safety measure in the vicinity of Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat. Our Airbnb Concierge in Arcachon offers you a progress report on this shocking event for many people.
In La Teste de Buch, the homes and rentals affected:
In the territory of Teste-de-Buch alone, more than 3400 hectares of forest have burned down. Evacuations as a security measure concerned nearly 10000 people. If so far no injuries were to be deplored, the situation is still considered worrying because of the weather which brings a strong wind helping the resumption of the flames and strongly hindering the work of the firefighters. The Prefect of Gironde, Fabienne Buccio recalls that the department is on red alert for forest fires and that access to the forest massifs of the entire department is temporarily prohibited.
The impact of fires on tourism in the Arcachon basin:
The rapid progression of the forest fires, despite the efforts of the firefighters and the many resources deployed (4 Canadairs and 2 Dash planes), led the authorities to quickly take restrictive measures for tourism in the Arcachon basin. Thus, the 5 campsites in the Arcachon basin, which are particularly vulnerable, have been evacuated. Vacationers were able to find refuge in the municipal buildings made available to them. This decision is a real blow for both holidaymakers and tourism professionals who see the start of the season severely marred by these events.
If the first words of the prefect were intended to be discouraging since it advised holidaymakers not to go to Arcachon immediately, the change of tone was intended to be quick and more reassuring. During a press briefing, Fabienne Buccio clarified that if the Dune du Pilat would remain closed to visitors for a certain time, holidays in the Arcachon basin would still be possible. A reassuring statement, both for travelers and for tourism professionals: owners of airbnb rentals, concierge services, campsites, etc.
The Bassin d'Arcachon seems in the immediate future and in the current state of our knowledge relatively calm in the face of the evolution of the fire. If the wind this Sunday brought the flames to the edge of the ocean as many images on social networks show, it seems to be turning south, towards Biscarosse. Most seasonal activities therefore remain perfectly accessible to the public in the areas of Gujan-Mestras, Le Teich or to the north in Lège-Cap-Ferret and Andernos.
Our concierge in Arcachon keeps you informed:
Our concierge in Arcachon will not fail to keep you informed in the coming days of the local situation with regard to these events. We are of course at the disposal of the owners for whom we provide rental management and their tenants to transmit the information in our possession. If you have any questions, you can contact us using the contact details on our Arcachon Concierge.
