French summer camps face growing wildfire threat as evacuations mount

Forest fires are disrupting France's summer camp culture, forcing the rapid evacuation of holidaymakers in parts of the country's southwest. Near the town of Biscarrosse, about 1,200 vacationers were moved to a safe zone after flames approached a campsite. France is home to roughly 7,400 campsites, according to the National Federation of Outdoor Accommodation, which said dozens of sites have been evacuated this season. Operators have reported financial losses from booking cancellations and temporary shutdowns. Industry representatives said rising temperatures and recurring drought waves require campsites to be redesigned for the new conditions and for fire prevention measures to be strengthened. Workers in the sector view this year's fires as a warning sign of the need to adapt to changing climate conditions.