Actor George Clooney and his family have fled their home in southern France, along with about 700 residents forced to evacuate from the threat of a raging wildfire.
In a letter to Brignoles Mayor Didier Brémond on Thursday, Clooney acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his family’s estate, but committed to helping 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 we want to emphasise two things," Clooney wrote. "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. We love Brignoles and our friends who live there."
Clooney, his wife Amal, and their two children left their estate, Domaine du Canadel, near Brignoles as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The flames ignited Wednesday afternoon and burned nearly 250 acres. About 700 residents were evacuated before being allowed to return as conditions improved. Even as water-dropping helicopters continued operating in the area after the evacuation order was lifted, officials warned that conditions remained challenging, with temperatures staying high and winds expected to strengthen again later in the afternoon.
The Clooneys purchased Domaine du Canadel in 2021, choosing the countryside estate as a quieter family retreat away from Hollywood. The property at the time had an estimated value of $10.3 million. The luxury estate has become an important part of their family life, offering privacy and a slower pace compared to the Los Angeles lifestyle.
The Clooneys have listed the property as their primary residence. The couple, along with their 9-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, were granted French citizenship in December 2025.
The fire that burned near the Clooney estate is notably significantly smaller than the devastating blazes that engulfed areas near Bordeaux in recent days.
More than 220,000 people have been forced to evacuate as firefighters battle some of the country’s largest blazes in years. The fire burning in the Gironde region near Bordeaux has scorched roughly 104,000 acres. Across France, wildfires have burned an estimated total of 284,000 acres of land this season, according to officials.
Fire risk remains elevated because of continuing heat, dry vegetation, and high winds. Some relief is expected as temperatures ease, but authorities warn that the danger has not entirely disappeared.