The loudspeakers in the vast hangar rang out with messages all day long. “We need a volunteer, please,” “Don’t forget: the physiotherapists are here until 5pm”, “Dinner will be served between 18:45pm and 9:30pm,” or “Come join our cinema screening”. The nearly 1,000 evacuees who were on Monday still taking refuge in the Bordeaux exhibition centre had plenty of activities to keep them busy. Read moreLive: French wildfires flare up again as authorities evacuate 4,000 more from tourist sites Many of them had arrived during the night of July 24 and July 25, when some 7,000 people fled the massive wildfires ravaging southwestern France to take shelter in the centre. Since then, most of the foreign tourists and vacationers have left, and numerous locals from Gironde have found refuge with friends and family. For the others, Bordeaux City Council is working on more long-term solutions, including accommodation with private individuals, in university halls of residence or even in secondary schools. The city has so far offered 892 housing options to the displaced people, according to a press release. Scrolling, card games and new friendships While they waited to find temporary housing or return to their own homes, many of the evacuees read or scrolled frantically on their phones. Some took naps. Others took advantage of the situation to meet new people. A small group of five people seated at a table began yet another card game. They didn’t even know each other three days ago, but now they call each other "friends".