French actor Guillaume Canet said he was moved and devastated in an Instagram video posted on Sunday, August 2, following historic wildfires that struck the Gironde and Var regions. He said he was overwhelmed by the work of professional and volunteer firefighters, along with volunteers and farmers who came from across France to help.
Canet, who said he has been visiting Gironde for thirty-five years, launched a donation appeal supporting the Red Cross, an initiative backed by broadcaster TF1, as well as the Secours Populaire and the Fondation de France. He said these organizations offer support during evacuations, providing essentials such as headlamps for reading in gymnasiums and phone chargers, along with psychological and medical support through France's SDIS fire service and SAMU emergency service to treat injured firefighters.
Other celebrities join the appeal
Singer Jérémy Frérot, who was born in Bruges, said in an Instagram video that he had spent a bitter month of July watching Gironde go up in smoke. He urged the French to visit the Arcachon Bay area in August to lift the spirits of those working in the region, noting that the regional TER train line had reopened.
Actress Laura Smet posted an Instagram story highlighting a drop in bookings for tourism businesses in Gironde and the Landes, encouraging travelers to check conditions before canceling trips to the region.
Léna Situations' running challenge
Influencer Léna Situations announced a partnership with sportswear brand Asics in one of her traditional August vlogs. She said Asics agreed to her idea that for every day she and her audience run at least one kilometer, the company would add 1,000 euros to a fund, totaling 31,000 euros by the end of August. She pledged to double that amount to 62,000 euros for Gironde's victims, asking followers to share a photo, video or TikTok proving they completed the daily kilometer.
The wildfires in Gironde, which burned 42,000 hectares, are now under control, though firefighters continue working to contain the flames. Evacuated residents were able to return home over the weekend.
