Paris, July 28 (SANA) Wildfires in southwestern France continue to spread toward sensitive industrial and defense sites, forcing authorities to carry out large-scale evacuations and suspend operations at strategic facilities, amid warnings of mounting economic losses and disruption to thousands of companies in the Gironde region, according to Euronews.
The Gironde fires have led to employee evacuations and heightened security at vital industrial facilities, including ArianeGroup, Dassault Aviation, Airbus Atlantic, and the rocket propulsion systems plant belonging to Roxel, according to the report.
The French Defense Ministry has deployed 1,500 soldiers to support emergency operations and secure sensitive sites, confirming that the protection of Ariane and M51 missile production facilities is being addressed in coordination with local authorities.
Widespread industrial disruption
Major companies have evacuated sensitive equipment and relocated operations to alternative sites, with most employees remaining at home.
The Dassault Mériganc plant, responsible for assembling Falcon and Rafale aircraft, was forced to suspend operations, while Airbus Atlantic employees were evacuated from its Salon site, which produces A220 and A350 aircraft structures, according to Euronews.
Heavy economic toll
Since the fires broke out on July 22, 42,000 hectares have burned, 220,000 people have been evacuated, and approximately 240 homes have been destroyed.
According to Euronews, citing the French Economy Ministry, more than 13,000 companies have been disrupted within evacuation zones, with approximately 130,000 employees prevented from reaching their workplaces.
Tourism companies are facing widespread cancellations, while timber supply chains in the Landes de Gascogne forest — which supports 56,000 jobs and generates approximately 10 billion euros annually — are also suffering.
European estimates suggest that only about 10 percent of climate disaster losses are insured, meaning the largest share of reconstruction costs will fall on households, insurers and the French government.
With temperatures continuing to rise, France faces the possibility of extended evacuations and industrial production disruption in a crisis combining environmental, economic and defense risks.
Wildfires expose Europe’s industrial vulnerability
The fires have become a recurring seasonal hazard in southern Europe, but their impact has grown increasingly severe, affecting tourism, agriculture, industry, insurance and public finances.
The wildfires have also highlighted the vulnerability of Europe’s industrial supply chains to climate-related disruptions, with the chemicals and aviation sectors particularly exposed to energy price volatility and logistical constraints.
The broader impact of the Middle East conflict has similarly demonstrated how external shocks can compound domestic pressures on European industry.
Kh.A / H.H
