According to Economy Minister Roland Lescure, “more than 13,000 businesses” have been evacuated in Gironde in response to the wildfires sweeping through the department. Among these companies, some in the textile industry have had to slow down or even halt their operations.
Inventories and distribution have been severely affected. Following the Var, the Gironde has been hit for several days by massive wildfires that have burned more than 42,000 hectares. These fires, which have mobilized 2,750 firefighters, additional European resources, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,440 internal security forces, have not only led to the evacuation of 220,000 people but have also severely disrupted the region’s entire economy.
In the wake of this, Economy Minister Roland Lescure announced that “more than 13,000 businesses (including 7,000 small craft businesses and 6,300 commercial enterprises, Ed.)” were among those forced to flee in Gironde. According to the government, they “could not, of course, carry out their normal operations.”
With the partial closure of the A63 highway, which runs through the town of Cestas, the Le Roy Logistique logistics hub—a key transit point for ready-to-wear companies—has been shut down due to an evacuation order. As a result, neither employees nor carriers are able to access the site. Lectra, a provider of solutions for the flexible materials industry, has also announced the temporary closure of its site as well as the activation of its internal emergency plan.
The company’s Cestas facility employs nearly two hundred people who have been evacuated from their homes. For this reason, the management of the company—which partners with major names in fashion and the automotive industry—has stated that it will support its employees affected by the natural disaster.
Parcel delivery facing challenges
According to the local newspaper Sud-Ouest, the major delivery companies are also severely affected by the situation. While Cdiscount was coordinating a donation drive for evacuation centers, the company is now located within an evacuation zone. “We followed the instructions; there’s no question of putting anyone at the slightest risk. Our Cestas facility, which employs 500 people, is empty; only security is still being maintained,” the company told the media outlet, which also mentioned the situation at La Poste.
According to an update issued Monday at 4:00 p.m., the mail distributor reported that “twenty-three post offices have been temporarily closed, including twenty in Gironde and three in Landes”. It also announced that “eleven mail and package distribution facilities, including a Chronopost branch, have also had to cease operations. The Cestas hub, which sorts mail for ten departments across the entire Southwest region—from Creuse to Charentes—has been closed since Saturday evening.”
According to the same reports, La Poste confirmed that a “business continuity plan has been implemented with the Toulouse and Tours hubs” to ensure minimum service.
Smoke as a source of contamination
According to the industry publication FashionUnited, if the supply chain is affected by the flames, the resulting smoke could contaminate products, including textiles—a highly absorbent material.
“Even in a warehouse or store that has not been touched by the flames, prolonged exposure to dense smoke laden with microparticles can persistently permeate the fibers, rendering entire batches of clothing unsellable,” the publication noted, adding that it also recommends health audits to assess contamination risks.
Meeting at Bercy
In order to provide “more specific answers” to the “concerns” of businesses whose operations have been affected by the fires in Gironde, a meeting will be held this Thursday at Bercy, according to the Minister Delegate for Industry, Sébastien Martin.
The government also noted that the Gironde Chamber of Commerce has set up a dedicated hotline for businesses seeking information, as well as a dedicated number on the Urssaf website.
“The government will stand by them, (…) for now, we are reviewing all requests that may come in from the field,” promised Sébastien Martin, saying he is “completely open” to cash flow measures, such as “deferrals of payroll taxes and social security contributions”. He also called on stakeholders “to reach out” to the departmental directorates for employment, labor, and solidarity (DDETS).
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Featured picture : © Chiara GUERCIO / UNSPLASH
