Viral Video Shows Horses Set Free as Fast-Moving Wildfire Sweeps Through France's Biscarrosse
Amid severe wildfires in southwestern France forcing mass evacuations, staff at a Biscarrosse equestrian centre released horses into smoke-filled streets as safe trailer evacuations became impossible. Most animals were later recovered by locals or returned on their own. Scroll below to watch the viral video.
Several horses were set free from an equestrian centre in Biscarrosse, in France's Landes department, after a fast-moving wildfire made safe trailer evacuation impossible. Video footage circulating online shows the animals running through smoke-filled streets as flames and thick smoke advanced on the area.
Staff at the centre, identified in French reports as Écuries d’En Hill, opened the gates for the remaining horses after evacuating most of the roughly 95 to 100 animals on site. Managers said the fire’s speed, extreme heat, and smoke left no other option. Most of the released horses were later recovered by locals or returned on their own. France Wildfire Forces 2.2 Lakh Evacuations as Massive Blaze Nears Bordeaux.
Horses Released From Equestrian Centre in France Amid Wildfire
Several horses are being evacuated as devastating wildfires continue to sweep across southwestern France, with emergency crews racing to move both animals and residents away from the advancing flames. 🇫🇷
The fires have already forced the evacuation of more than 220,000 people… pic.twitter.com/ewkPVHeX7H
— France Safety Travel (@francesafetytra) July 27, 2026
🇫🇷 | Un centro ecuestre en el suroeste de Francia liberó a varios caballos mientras intentaba evacuarlos en medio de los incendios forestales que azotan la región. pic.twitter.com/x2u7vQlwkp
— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) July 26, 2026
Horses Freed Amid Rapid Fire Spread
The incident occurred on July 23 as a wildfire threatened Biscarrosse and surrounding areas. French media reported that the decision came after it became too difficult to relocate the animals safely by vehicle. Footage captured the horses galloping along roads, including near a stop sign, under heavy smoke. Similar emergency releases of horses were reported at other nearby centres as the blaze advanced. Animal welfare groups and local riders helped coordinate recovery and temporary housing in safer locations.
Wider Wildfire Emergency in Gironde and Landes
The horse evacuations form part of a larger crisis. Major wildfires have burned across southwestern France’s Gironde and Landes departments since around July 22–23, fueled by dry conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds. The main Gironde fire, which started near Saumos west of the Arcachon basin, has scorched about 42,000 hectares - roughly four times the size of Paris - and destroyed around 240 homes. Authorities have evacuated approximately 220,000 people in Gironde alone, with additional thousands displaced in Landes (including around Biscarrosse) and neighbouring areas. Some residents on the Cap Ferret peninsula fled by boat. Total evacuations across France and concurrent fires in Spain have exceeded 300,000 people in recent days.
Dozens of firefighters have been injured - more than 80 in Gironde according to recent tallies - though no civilian deaths have been reported from these blazes. The fire approached within about 15 kilometres of Bordeaux’s outskirts at points, prompting further precautionary measures, road closures, and smoke impacts on air quality. Tour de France Final Stage Shortened: Wildfires Devastate 98,000 Hectares of Wooded Terrain in France.
Current Status and Ongoing Response
As of July 27, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the main Gironde fire had stopped advancing overnight and was “stabilized” but not yet “fixed", meaning active pockets remain and crews continue fighting it on the ground. Prefects described the overnight situation as largely stable after days of erratic spread, including “fire clouds” and self-generated winds in places. Thousands of firefighters, supported by military personnel, police, and aerial assets including Canadair water bombers, remain deployed. A new heatwave is expected to raise temperatures again, raising concerns about renewed fire activity. Officials have stressed that the overall 2026 fire season in France is exceptional, with tens of thousands of hectares burned nationwide.
The Biscarrosse fire in Landes has been described as better contained in some sectors, allowing limited returns for some residents, though vigilance continues. Authorities continue to monitor both blazes closely while coordinating relief for displaced people and livestock.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2026 10:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
