Wine and Board Games in an Emergency Kit?

By Maria Morena Vicente and Emiliano Rodríguez Nuesch

The wildfires sweeping southwestern France have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Forests have burned, entire communities have been evacuated, and emergency shelters are filling with people who don't know when they'll be able to return.

Inside one of those shelters in Bordeaux, the atmosphere looks different. A volunteer twists balloons into dogs and swords for children.

Nearby, another organizes stacks of board games. Five evacuees who had never met before spend the afternoon playing cards together.

A group of people playing cards at Bordeaux’s exhibition centre on July 27, 2026. © Cyrielle Cabot, FRANCE 24.

Around them, volunteers serve meals, screen movies, care for pets, and help families with legal paperwork and temporary housing.

While these activities might seem secondary during a disaster, emergency preparedness experts suggest otherwise.

Berkeley FireSafe, a California organization focused on wildfire preparedness, encourages people to think beyond food, water, and first-aid supplies. Their emergency checklist includes a section called "Supplies for Coming Together,"suggesting items like board games, books, a grill—and even a bottle of wine.

The reasoning is simple. After the immediate danger has passed, sharing a meal, playing a game, or spending time with neighbors can reduce stress and strengthen the social bonds that help communities recover.

A large space was set up for sport at the Bordeaux exhibition centre. © Cyrielle Cabot, FRANCE 24.

Firefighters, helicopters, and evacuation plans save lives. But once people are safe, recovery also depends on reducing stress, rebuilding routines, and helping neighbors care for one another.

The shelter in Bordeaux shows what that can look like.

Emergency kits are designed to keep people alive. Should they also help people keep living?