Wildfires in Gironde and Landes: RTE mobilised to secure supply
On 28 July 2026, RTE reported on its response to fires that had burned more than 40,000 hectares and prompted 220,000 evacuations.
On 28 July 2026, RTE set out its response to the wildfires affecting Gironde and Landes. More than 40,000 hectares had burned by that point and 220,000 people had been evacuated.
From the day after the fires broke out at Saumos, the transmission system operator's teams were mobilised alongside the emergency services. On 23 July, maintenance teams joined the Fire Command Post in order to coordinate the protection of essential electrical assets.
These assets supply homes, emergency service centres, reception centres, telecommunications networks and other sensitive infrastructure. Working with the fire services, RTE de-energised certain lines and substations at their request in order to facilitate the firefighters' work.
In parallel, teams adapted grid operation in real time, in constant coordination with Enedis, to limit the consequences of any outages. A helicopter carried out an aerial survey of the lines and substations located in the areas concerned.
Despite a changing situation, no power cuts were ongoing on the transmission grid as at 28 July. Preventive checks were continuing on the edges of the affected areas, notably in the Arcachon area.