In brief
A week‑long wildfire in the southern French Gironde region exposed a hidden treasure of 400 unexploded WWII munitions, including mortar and anti‑tank shells. Over 100 explosions shook the night, prompting demining teams and the temporary evacuation of more than 180 homes. The discovery has cast a pale light over the village of Le Porge and sparked discussions about wartime remnants in civilian areas. French officials praise the fire crews while noting that some areas remain off‑limits for safety, as the fire is finally under control.
Hundreds of WWII Munitions Uncovered Amid France Wildfires
A wildfire that burned for nearly a week in the Gironde province of southern France uncovered a cache of 400 unexploded World War II shells and munitions buried in the village of Le Porge.
What began as suspected gas‑cylinder blasts turned into a terrifying series of over 100 explosions, sounding “like the roar of war,” according to Mayor Martial Zaninetti. The heat of the blaze apparently detonated buried shells that were long forgotten in the village’s soil.
Demining teams have cleared most of the site and have allowed many residents to return to their homes, though the mayor warned that a few areas—such as the ocean access, a campsite, and the nearby village of La Jenny—remain off‑limits while the hazard is fully assessed.
The munitions found include both German and French shells, notably mortar and anti‑tank types. In an unprecedented discovery, one shell even traveled through a house, highlighting the hidden dangers of wartime remnants in civilian landscapes.
The wildfire, which covered 42,000 hectares in the south‑west of France, is one of the largest forest fires seen since the end of World War II. It prompted the evacuation of over 330,000 people across France and Spain in a two‑week campaign of controlled fires.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu praised the firefighters for their bravery, noting that the battle had entered a new phase and commuters were gradually returning to affected towns as safety measures were taken.
The discovery has sparked concern about other hidden munitions scattered across the region, prompting calls for a broader survey of war‑time remnants in rural France.
