The warning, in French, read: ‘A forest fire is nearby. It included a suggested road to follow to exit Lège-Cap-Ferret, the coastal holiday spot in southwest France where we were staying. It’s an area my family have been visiting for more than 25 years – popular for its incredible food and sandy coastline. I spent so much of my childhood there, made friends, learned French and celebrated milestones. My mum stayed, but couldn’t return to Lège-Cap-Ferret.