As we head into the fire zone, miles of blackened trees line the route – ashes where there once was life. “Today is very critical,” explains our official escort, Stephanie Martin from the Villenave-d’Ornon fire and rescue service. “The problem is the wind. Right now we don’t know which direction it’s going to take.” This year’s wildfires are already some of the worst in memory and are still far from being brought under control. “How long do you think you’ll be here?” I’m asking. “I think at least two weeks,” Stephanie replies. The problem is not only low temperatures. Many of the fires are deep in the forest, where hundreds of firefighters are trying to contain the flames. A plane flies overhead dropping liquid fire retardant on the earth below. But we can’t stand by – officials say it’s too dangerous. Image: This lady says she’s not going anywhere The wind shifted again and it was time to leave as the fire could sweep in our direction at any moment. Evacuees have cleared streets and homes in the fire’s path, but not everyone is heeding the warning. Local French Civil Protection officials receive a call about a pensioner refusing to leave her animals. Read more: Roads close, ‘frightening’ fires and drought as temperatures soar in Portugal Immediately teams are sent to find her – to tell her the fire is coming. But when we arrive, it doesn’t budge. “No! No, no, no,” the 86-year-old repeatedly tells employees trying to get her to join them. They say she can bring her dogs. She replies that she’s lived here her whole life and isn’t going anywhere. He says he will die here. The mayor and the police arrive but he doesn’t change his mind. In the end, all they can do is take her details and tell her to cover the doors with wet towels if she smells smoke. They say the firemen will have to come get her if the fire reaches the village. “I think it’s very dangerous because it means you have to ask for other people to come during the firefighting,” says Marion Levasseur, from France’s Civil Protection. Others in the area have heard. In a nearby shelter, we meet some of the thousands of displaced people who have fled their homes. They grabbed what they could, packed up their pets and left. They have no idea when they will be able to return. Fire continues to ravage southwestern France and the battle is far from over.
