George and Amal Clooney Evacuate Brignoles Home as Wildfire Threatens Southern France
When a wildfire roared on the outskirts of Brignoles on Wednesday evening, the Clooneys—actor George and human‑rights lawyer Amal—left their hilltop estate in a swift, precautionary evacuation.
The couple departed the property on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and sent a note to the town’s mayor. In the letter, shared with ABC News by a Clooney representative, they wrote: "At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles we want to emphasise 2 things. First we hope you and the people of our city are safe and 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 note concluded with a statement of love for Brignoles and its residents.
The blaze ignited Wednesday night near the town and, by 3 a.m. local time, had consumed roughly 321 acres of vegetation. Firefighters were still battling the flames, and four of them sustained injuries during the operation. Brignoles, a commune in the Var department of Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur with about 18,000 residents, has remained on high alert.
This incident fits a larger pattern of summer fires across southern Europe. Heat waves and dry conditions have sparked extensive wildfires in Greece, France, Spain, and even the United Kingdom. The 2026 wildfire season has seen record‑level activity in Mediterranean climates, prompting European authorities to deploy additional fire‑fighting resources and coordinate cross‑border responses.
The Clooneys bought their Brignoles estate, Domaine du Canadel, in 2021. In a 2025 interview with Esquire, George described life on the French farm: his children now share meals and chores instead of spending time on electronic devices. The hilltop property sits just outside the town, offering a panoramic view that now looks over the smoldering landscape.
While local authorities have not issued a formal evacuation order for the estate, the Clooneys left as a precaution. Firefighters continue to monitor the area, and containment is expected to improve as the night progresses. The actors have expressed a desire to return once the situation stabilises.
Brignoles officials and residents are awaiting further updates on the fire’s status and any potential impact on the Clooneys’ property. For now, the couple’s safe evacuation stands as a testament to the community’s resilience amid a season of unprecedented wildfire activity.
