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Pollution alert in Lyon: the smoke from the fires in Gironde is filling the Lyon sky!

undefined undefined 27 juillet 2026 undefined 12h30

The Editor

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The wildfires currently ravaging the Gironde aren't stopping at the borders of New Aquitaine. Carried by the west winds, their impressive columns of smoke have reached Lyon and the Rhône, causing a noticeable decline in air quality. Authorities have activated the information and recommendation level due to this episode of fine particle pollution.

The smell of burning that many residents noticed this Sunday morning was not just a mere impression. The massive fires affecting Gironde have generated huge plumes of smoke now visible all the way to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. As they make their way across the country, these smoke clouds carry a high concentration of fine particles that directly impact the air quality in Rhône and the Lyon metropolis.

In light of this unusual situation, the Rhône prefecture has announced the activation of the information and recommendation level. Authorities explain that west winds are pushing the smoke towards the Lyon region, leading to a pollution episode that requires particular vigilance, especially for the most sensitive individuals.

A significant decline in air quality in the region

Measurements confirm that all of western Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is affected by this exceptional pollution. The organization Atmo Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes indicates that the smoke is continuing to spread, and the air quality is now considered poor over a large area, from Auvergne to the Rhône Valley.

Fine particle concentrations could exceed the information threshold set at 50 µg/m³ in several areas. Even regions located outside the main path of the smoke are experiencing degraded air quality, a direct consequence of this fire-related episode.

A hopeful improvement thanks to the return of the wind

This situation shouldn’t last too long. According to forecasts, the westerly winds are expected to gradually lose intensity throughout Monday. This shift in weather conditions will help slow down the arrival of new smoke and encourage its dispersal across the region.

While we wait for this improvement, authorities recommend that vulnerable individuals, children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions limit prolonged physical efforts outdoors and stay alert to the changing situation.