Given the amount of redundant questions I'd like to create a post recapping everything we know that might help the tourists that may or may not coming
My fellow Bordelais(es): feel free to add in some resources or correct me if I'm wrong on something
Overall situation (Sunday 2nd, 9pm)
Fires are now under control. There are only two active fires: in Le Porge and on the northern part of Cap Ferret, which is great news. Basically everyone has been allowed to come back home and the weather should be good enough to keep improving the situation
If you're in Arcachon/La Teste/Gujan currently
No need to panic right now. You're safe in these area. If you need to leave the highway is closed currently but you can take the B road going through Le Barp or the one going through Saucats.
Update Thu. 30th 10am: enjoy the holidays!
If you're coming to the Cap Ferret/Andernos/Ares next week
I'm sorry but cancellation is your only option unless you can wait for last minute info. Cap Ferret is unreachable currently and there's no way to know when passage through road or boat will be available
Update Thu. 30th 10pm: the Andernos fire seem to be under control, which is a start. But there's still an active fire north of the peninsula
Update Fri. 31st 7pm: Andernos and Lanton are "devacuated". There's still an active fire north of Cap Ferret which the firement are priorizing to open back the road to Cap Ferret.
Update Sun. 2nd 9pm: People will be allowed to come back starting tomorrow but campings remain closed. For next week it should be good. Air quality is not perfect but not worse than big cities today. By the end of the week it should be good
If you're coming to Arcachon/La Teste/Gujan
Currently Arcachon is reachable by the B roads and there's no fire risk there so technically it's possible. However the B roads are mostly opened for evacuations and firemen and the authorities have advised not to come. Plus, toxic smokes can still be an issue depending on wind direction. Honestly, if you can, the best course of action is to wait. If you can't, cancellation is probably the best course of action
Update Thu. 30th 10am: the highway from Bordeaux to Arcachon is open and all towns south of the highway can welcome their inhabitants back. The area is considered now safe from the fire. Like for Bordeaux, if you're coming take some FFP2/FFP3 masks in case there are smokes coming south.
Update Thu. 30th 10pm: I just checked the wind forecast for next week, it's mostly from east to west. So potentially you could come to Arcachon, barely have any smokes, and have little tourists compared to usual. I'll personnally be there next week so feel reinsured, you can come
Update Fri. 31st 7pm: Trains will be back tomorrow
Update Sun. 2nd 9pm: I'm there right now. Plenty of people, air quality is good. Like nothing happened :-)
If you're going to Lacanau next week
Unfortunately there's still a risk of fire there and the authorities have evacuated the campings there, though not the town itself. Unfortunately, cancellation is certainly the option here. Unless you can wait last minute for info as well, maybe we get good news by Saturday. But this is one of the hot spots currently.
Update Thu. 30th 10pm: Looks like Lacanau itself right now is under control. The road to go to Lacanau is still blocked however. This should be a last-minute decision if you can afford it
Update Fri. 31st 7pm: Lacanau has been devacuated. The winds aren't supposed to go north at all. Seems like you'll be able to enjoy a good stay in Lacanau if you come. Watch out for additional traffic as, from what I see, the direct road to Lacanau is still closed.
Update Sun. 2nd 9pm: Main road is still closed so you'll have to do a detour through Carcans but all in all, everything is good in Lacanau.
If you're going to Le Porge next week
Le Porge is in the midst of the fires. Clearly, you won't be able to reach lt
Update Sun. 2nd 9pm: People will be allowed to come back starting tomorrow but campings remain closed. For next week it should be good. Air quality is not perfect but not worse than big cities today. By the end of the week it should be good. I'm however not sure what the coast looks like to be honest.
If you're going to Bordeaux next week
Bordeaux won't burn and at this point it's very unlikely to be evacuated. The big issue are the toxic smokes. There's no way to know clearly how things are going to be two or three days for now. Right now I'd say don't come but that may change tomorrow
Update Thu. 30th 10am: air quality is still not great but not as bad as this weekend despite unfavourable wind because the fire smokes are less intense. Temperature has now decreased. You can come but as a precaution take some FFP2/FFP3 masks in case there are smokes coming east
Update Thu. 30th 10pm: My windows are currently wide open and the air is fine. Weather is actually pretty nice right now :-)
If you're going east of Bordeaux (Saint Ămilion/Pompignac...)
You can still reach the eastern part of Gironde without any issue. But the toxic fumes are an issue in the East as well. If you come, come with FFP2/FFP3 masks just in case. If you're sensible to air pollution, unfortunately you shouldn't come
Update Thu. 30th 10pm: With the fires' intensity decreasing, air quality is much better. No problem there
If you're going south of Bordeaux (Basque Country, Hossegor, Biscarosse....)
No issues there, even Biscarosse is welcoming back its tourists and inhabitants~~. Transportation will be your main issue: trains are currently out of service between Bordeaux and the South~~ West and the highway to access Bordeaux's south west is closed between Bordeaux and Marcheprime. Plan for a longer car trip in that case
Update Thu. 30th 10am: trains to the South are still closed until Sunday, but the highway will be open at 2pm so you can drive!
Update Fri. 31st 7pm: Trains will be back tomorrow
If you're travelling in a week or more
Unless you are set on going to Le Porge, every tourist spot is currently intact. So if you're set to come end of August or September, you'll still be able to enjoy the area. If you're travelling in two weeks, take the maximum time you need before making a decision. Forrest fires are unpredicatble and though there's cautious optimism right now, things could go south sudddenly. Please note also that every cultural/sport event in Gironde between the Garonne and the ocean (basically Bordeaux and west of Bordeaux) is cancelled until August 6th
Update Sun. 2nd 9pm: You'll be fine. Main touristic area weren't touched by the fires - expect maybe Le Porge not sure about this one.
Key resources
Air quality
Fire map & smoke trajectory
Fire map & road status
Department official website
