France's Saumos Fire Burns Area Four Times Paris, Evacuates 220,000 as Fourth Heatwave Tests Containment

The Saumos wildfire in Gironde, France, has scorched an area four times the size of Paris and forced 220,000 evacuations as of 28 July 2026. Prefect Sophie Brocas confirmed containment held on 29 July despite 14 overnight rekindlings. A fourth heatwave, with temperatures reaching low 40s°C, now threatens to test those lines. France's PM Lecornu delayed his holiday to manage the crisis.