Several high-risk industrial facilities in southwestern France have suspended operations or activated emergency safety measures as massive wildfires continue to spread across the Gironde and Landes departments, threatening strategic aerospace, defense, energy and chemical sites.

According to French media reports, authorities ordered the evacuation of some industrial sites, while hazardous materials and sensitive equipment were moved to secure locations as the fires advanced toward key industrial zones around Bordeaux.

French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said more than 13,000 businesses in Gironde had been affected by the fires, with many temporarily halting operations or evacuating their facilities.

Industrial areas around Cestas, Saint-Jean-d'Illac, Saint-Medard-en-Jalles, Martignas-sur-Jalle and Merignac were among those affected.

The region hosts major facilities operated by aerospace and defense companies, including ArianeGroup, Airbus Atlantic, Dassault Aviation, Thales and Safran.

Authorities established firebreaks and reinforced security around sensitive sites, while additional personnel and equipment were deployed by the Defense Ministry to protect strategic facilities.

Safety measures were particularly tightened at ArianeGroup's Saint-Medard-en-Jalles site, where solid rocket propellant used in ballistic missile and space launch systems is manufactured and stored.

The company said it had evacuated affected sites and was working closely with local and national authorities to protect personnel and critical infrastructure.

Airbus Atlantic temporarily suspended part of its production at its Le Haillan facility near Bordeaux, while Safran shifted some employees at its Merignac plant to remote work. Dassault Aviation said production continued under strict safety protocols.

Several Seveso-class petrochemical, energy and chemical plants across Gironde and Landes also activated emergency procedures or were placed under heightened surveillance because of the wildfire risk.

Authorities said no major industrial accident had been reported so far but warned that the high alert would remain in place as firefighters continued efforts to contain the blazes.

French president warns of 'unprecedented' wildfire, says difficult weeks lie ahead

Underlining the scale of the crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Monday that France faces an "unprecedented" wildfire and that "the weeks ahead will be difficult" as authorities continue battling the massive blaze in the Gironde department.

"The weeks ahead will be difficult and we must hold on," Macron said during a visit to the departmental fire and rescue operational center (CODIS) in Bordeaux.

He added that the Gironde blaze was "totally unprecedented."

Macron said the country must remain mobilized against what he described as an exceptional wildfire.

The French president thanked firefighters, elected officials, civil protection personnel, police officers, gendarmes, military personnel, healthcare workers, volunteers and farmers involved in the response.

He also expressed gratitude to European countries that have provided assistance to France, praising what he described as a strong chain of solidarity.

"I know life is difficult, that there is anxiety, crops have been lost and fuel is expensive," Macron said. "I know these past few days have been extremely difficult."

Macron paid tribute to the two firefighters who died last week while battling the wildfires, offering his condolences and thanking emergency services for their continued efforts.

He said France would eventually have to replant and rebuild its forests differently in response to increasingly destructive wildfires.

The wildfire that broke out near Saumos in the Gironde department on Wednesday has burned around 42,000 hectares (103,784 acres) and forced the evacuation of approximately 220,000 people.

A total of 84 firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze.

Wildfires also remain active in Haute-Corse, Var and Landes, while authorities said the fire in the Hautes-Alpes department has been brought under control.