'There's ash everywhere,' says Irish woman in Bordeaux
An Irish teacher and a long-term resident describe the impact of wildfires near Bordeaux, France. While the city remains safe, residents are dealing with heavy smoke, ash, and anxiety regarding the proximity of the fires.
Why it matters
Highlights the growing threat of climate-driven wildfires to urban centers and the resulting public health concerns for residents.
French language teacher Tammy Ní Laoire was due to return home to Conamara from Bordeaux next Saturday but she spent the morning trying to book an earlier return flight.
The Mayor of Bordeaux has said that wildfires were about 15km from the main entry points to the city.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in surrounding areas, but there are currently were no plans to evacuate the urban area, home to 850,000 people and currently sheltering thousands evacuated from zones close by.
Ms Ní Laoire managed to get a flight to Dublin on Wednesday, but said that flights out of Bordeaux were quickly selling out or going up in price.
"I spoke to a few locals, they're coming from different points of view, some of them are a little bit nervous" but she said she also spoke to a waiter who simply said "life goes on, c'est la vie".
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