Forest Fire Uncovers WWII Shells Near Bordeaux

A large forest fire near Bordeaux, southwestern France, has unveiled World War II shells in the village of Le Porge. Residents have returned home after several days of demining operations. Local authorities report that approximately 400 shells and ammunition pieces were recovered from the area where flames destroyed over 180 houses.

During the blaze, explosions were heard, initially thought to be from gas cylinders. However, fire commander Thomas Mimiague suggests these may have been the buried shells. BBC News stated that over 100 explosions were noted on the second night of the fire, and Mayor Martial Zaninetti described the sounds as akin to “the sound of war.”

The shells, discovered on August 3, 2026, included both German and French munitions, mainly mortar shells and some high-explosive anti-tank shells. “Ammunition depots were buried in our municipality, but we weren’t aware, and they exploded,” Zaninetti told France Info. Shockingly, one shell was reported to have passed through a house.

Mimiague stated, “We don’t really know why they’re there; we think they were abandoned.” This incident in Le Porge is not isolated. Munitions from World War II have surfaced in France before. Last year, an unexploded bomb near Paris halted trains around the busy Gare du Nord station. In 2012, around 1,000 people were evacuated in Marseille for the removal of a German bomb from the war.

The Bordeaux region has faced multiple fires since the start of summer. The most severe blaze since 1949 was recently brought under control after burning over 99,000 acres in about ten days. Fortunately, it did not reach the significant wine estates of the region.