A Gloucester headteacher has recounted his harrowing experience witnessing towering flames during a devastating wildfire on France’s Cap Ferret peninsula. The popular Atlantic Coast tourist destination faced a fierce blaze that prompted a complete evacuation of the area.
The wildfire’s severity led French President Emmanuel Macron to appeal for assistance from the European Union. Authorities ordered at least 60,000 residents to evacuate as the fire spread rapidly.
David Morton, 53, was on holiday with his wife and sons when their night was interrupted by an automated evacuation alarm at 3am. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, David described the terrifying moments that followed.
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“On Thursday, we noticed some smoke drifting near where we were staying on Cap Ferret. We went for bike rides and didn’t think much of it,” he said. “That evening, we saw the fire in the distance, about seven or eight miles away. It didn’t seem to be approaching, so we went to bed hoping it would be fine.”
The calm was shattered when an urgent automated alert instructed them to leave immediately via the D106, the peninsula’s only road out. David and his family swiftly packed and departed within 15 minutes.
“Despite the situation, I remained relatively calm because we had been following the news,” he explained. “As we drove past the fire, we were just half a mile away. Towering flames, bright yellow and four or five storeys high, engulfed an entire forest.”
David detailed how strong winds fueled the blaze, likely sparking secondary fires that worsened the situation. As they escaped, ash rained down, and drivers kept their lights on through the smoky darkness.
“It was like scenes from a movie, but it was very real,” he reflected. “We realized this wasn’t a fire anyone would control anytime soon.”