Actor George Clooney and his family were among thousands of residents forced to evacuate their home in southern France this week as fast-moving wildfires swept through the Provence region amid extreme heat and strong winds.
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the 65-year-old Oscar winner, his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, 48, and their 9-year-old twins Alexander and Ella left their property near Brignoles, east of Marseille, after local authorities issued evacuation orders.
In a letter to Brignoles Mayor Didier Bremond, the couple expressed concern for their neighbors and pledged to help the community recover.
At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles,” they wrote.First we hope you and the people of our city are safe,” the letter continued. “Second that Amal and I are committed to making sure that whatever happens to our village, we are part of this community and we’ll be part of making it whole.”
The fire near Brignoles is one of several major blazes burning across southern Europe this week. France, Spain, Greece, and other Mediterranean countries are facing heightened wildfire risk due to a prolonged heatwave, dry vegetation, and powerful winds.
Officials have described this as one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent years. More than 2,200 firefighters have been deployed in France alone, supported by over 20 water-dropping aircraft. Additional crews and equipment have arrived from other regions of France and from neighboring European countries to assist.
On July 31, 55,000 people were evacuated overnight in France. That brought the total number of people temporarily displaced during the current emergency to roughly 250,000 across the affected regions.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain alert, avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, and follow evacuation orders immediately when issued. Dry brush and persistent heat have created conditions where fires can spread rapidly and unpredictably
George and Amal Clooney made France their primary residence in 2021, buying a 17th-century property near Brignoles. They said they wanted a quieter, more private life for their family away from Hollywood.
In an interview with Esquire magazine in October 2025, Clooney explained that the move was motivated by his desire to give his children a normal upbringing.
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he said.
“France—they kind of don’t give a about fame,” he continued. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”[expletive]
The family has become part of the local community in the Var department. They have been seen at markets, supporting local charities, and keeping a relatively low profile.
In December 2025, the French government announced that George, Amal, Alexander, and Ella Clooney had been granted French citizenship through a naturalization decree.the fires in France are part of a broader emergency across the Mediterranean. Spain and Greece have also reported major wildfires in recent days, forcing evacuations and straining emergency services.
Climate scientists have warned that hotter, drier summers in southern Europe are making wildfires more frequent and more intense. This year’s heatwave has seen temperatures climb above 40°C (104°F) in several areas, with little rainfall to replenish forests and farmland.
Emergency officials across the region are calling for better prevention, faster response times, and more cross-border cooperation as fire seasons grow longer.
For residents like the Clooneys, the priority this week has been safety. The family evacuated with other Brignoles residents and were staying in a secure location as of Thursday.in their letter to the mayor, the Clooneys emphasized that their concern was not just for their own property, but for the entire town.
The couple has been involved in humanitarian work for years through the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which focuses on human rights, justice, and disaster response. Their message to Brignoles reflected that same commitment to community
Local officials have not yet released a full damage assessment for the Brignoles area. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze through Thursday night, with containment efforts complicated by wind shifts.
As southern Europe braces for more heat in the coming days, authorities say the risk of new fires remains high. Residents have been told to stay informed through local alerts and to be ready to evacuate at short notice.
For the Clooney family, like thousands of others in Provence, the hope is that the fires will be contained quickly and that their adopted hometown can begin to rebuild.
