The latest operation brings the number of people evacuated in Gironde to well over 200,000. 'Difficult' hours aheadFrench Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu warned that "the coming hours could be difficult" in Gironde after weather forecasts deteriorated. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementNunez said the blaze would be a long battle and that evacuated residents would not be allowed to return until the fire was brought under control. Residents return homeAuthorities allowed 3,000 residents to return home on Saturday evening in safe areas of Biscarrosse in France's southwestern Landes department. The French government said 197,000 people were evacuated because of wildfires near Bordeaux.