George and Amal Clooney have been forced to evacuate their family estate in the south of France as wildfires ravage the region, with the actor revealing in a letter to the local mayor that he does not know if their beloved home will survive the blaze .

The Evacuation: A 'Terrible Moment'

The Clooneys, along with their nine-year-old twins Ella and Alexander, were forced to leave their hilltop estate, Domaine du Canadel, in Brignoles in the Var department this week . The evacuation came as a wildfire broke out near the town, burning some 100-130 hectares (250-321 acres) and forcing the evacuation of approximately 600-700 residents .

In an emotional letter to Brignoles Mayor Didier Brémond, which was shared with the BBC, Clooney expressed the family's uncertainty and fear: "At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment and as we evacuate Brignoles." However, he also made a steadfast commitment to the community, promising that he and Amal "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" .

Publicist Guido Gotz confirmed the evacuation to the Associated Press, noting the family's deep connection to the area . Firefighters have since brought the blaze under control, allowing evacuated residents to return home by Thursday, but officials warned that high temperatures and wind remain "unfavourable" .

The Fire Crisis in France

The Clooneys' evacuation comes as Europe battles a devastating wildfire crisis. France has been particularly hard hit, with a massive blaze in the Gironde region destroying 42,000 hectares (103,784 acres) and forcing the evacuation of at least 220,000 residents and holidaymakers . That fire, the largest in France since 1949, has been contained for three consecutive days but remains a threat .

The situation has been exacerbated by a severe heatwave that has left swathes of the continent like a "tinderbox" . Firefighters have also been battling blazes in Greece, where two firefighters died on the island of Crete, and in Spain . The Var region, where the Clooneys live, remains under a heightened state of vigilance.

The Clooneys' French Life

The Clooneys purchased their estate in Brignoles in 2021 and have since made it their primary residence . In December 2025, the French government awarded the whole family—including the twins—French citizenship . In a 2025 interview with Esquire magazine, Clooney explained his family's decision to move to France, citing his desire to raise his children away from the paparazzi and constant scrutiny of Los Angeles. "I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi," he said . He described their life on a farm, where the twins learn responsibility and enjoy a childhood reminiscent of his own . "They have a much better life," he added .