More Than 320,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Spread Across France and Spain
621 Min Read
More than 320,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain as severe wildfires continue to spread through southern Europe, with thousands of emergency personnel deployed to tackle the blazes.
In southwestern France, more than 220,000 people have been forced to leave their homes after fires expanded around the Bordeaux region, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds. The main blaze has destroyed around 32,700 hectares, with around 1,400 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel and 1,700 security forces involved in the response.
The European Union has provided additional support, sending aircraft and helicopters through its rescEU emergency fleet, while several countries have contributed personnel and firefighting equipment.
Spain has declared a national emergency as fires continue to affect Madrid and Ávila, where around 100,000 people have been evacuated.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the priority remained protecting lives, communities and supporting those affected. Authorities across both countries warned that the coming days would be critical as extreme heat and dry conditions continue to fuel the fires.
