Out-of-control wildfires in France and Spain have forced the evacuation of more than 250,000 people, according to authorities. In southwest France near Bordeaux, around 197,000 residents were evacuated, while in Spain approximately 70,000 people fled villages west of Madrid. One man died in Valencia after being found in a car in a ravine.
Both countries are facing unprecedented fires, intensified by strong winds and severe drought, which have made them difficult to contain despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and water-dropping aircraft. French President Emmanuel Macron has called in the army and requested assistance from the European Union.
In France, tens of thousands of people were evacuated from areas near Bordeaux, including about 44,000 residents and tourists from the Cap Ferret peninsula, where more than 50 homes have been destroyed. Boats and vehicles were used to evacuate people as flames threatened the only access road. Around 40 firefighters have been injured in the area.
Spanish authorities described the wildfire west of Madrid as being at its peak and beyond the control of emergency services. Thick smoke has spread near the capital, causing health concerns. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned of a difficult situation ahead, with unpredictable winds complicating firefighting efforts.
Military personnel have been deployed in France, and emergency shelters have been set up for displaced residents. The European Commission has also sent firefighting aircraft to assist both countries.
The fires have already destroyed tens of thousands of hectares, with one blaze in Spain’s Guadalajara province burning around 32,000 hectares. Some fires near Madrid have merged, increasing the threat to nearby towns.
Experts say repeated heatwaves and ongoing drought have worsened wildfire conditions across southern Europe. Italy has also been affected, with multiple fires in Sicily and fatalities among firefighters reported this week.