Fire reported to have started at a solar farm in the Landes and spread to forest, burning 100 hectares

On 16 September 2026 a fire was reported to have broken out at a solar farm in the Landes department of France, in the area of the communes of Lüe and Labouheyre, before spreading into the surrounding forest and destroying more than 100 hectares. The fire service described the situation as very serious because of the proximity of high-voltage power lines, the A63 motorway and a railway line. About 150 firefighters and aircraft including two Canadair water bombers were deployed; the report gives differing figures of six and nine aircraft. SNCF suspended train services on a section of the Bordeaux to Dax line because of the proximity of the flames. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and a house under threat was secured by crews. The fire service said no towns or villages lay in the path of the fire's current spread, although it was advancing rapidly in high temperatures. How the fire started at the solar farm has not been reported.

High temperatures were reported as a factor that could complicate the response and the fire spread rapidly. The proximity of high-voltage lines, a motorway and a railway line raised the risk profile of the incident. The ignition source and any equipment involvement have not been reported.

1. Solar sites bordering forest or heathland should maintain vegetation clearance and firebreaks so that a fire cannot readily spread into or out of the site.
2. Emergency plans for generation sites near motorways and railways should include pre-agreed liaison and service suspension arrangements with transport operators.
3. Site fire risk assessments should account for adjacent high-voltage infrastructure when planning firefighting access and resource allocation.

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