In Spain, wildfires continue to burn intensely around Madrid and in Ávila province, forcing tens of thousands from their homes.
Authorities in France have issued evacuation directives for three suburbs near Bordeaux in the southwestern part of the country, as wildfires keep wreaking havoc across southern Europe.
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Residents in Le Haillan, Eysines, and Mérignac have been instructed to evacuate immediately using designated routes.
This week, an «unprecedented» wildfire has consumed approximately 32,700 hectares in the Gironde department, prompting evacuations of about 167,000 people.
The fire started in Saumos on Tuesday and spread toward Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret. It has since moved eastward, reaching the Bordeaux metropolitan zone, where smoke from the fires over the Arcachon Basin remains visible.
Bordeaux has opened the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre to offer shelter to evacuees.
On Saturday afternoon, officials reported that cooler temperatures and rising humidity have reduced the fire’s intensity, enabling firefighters to make progress.
Two firefighters lost their lives battling the flames in Mérignac on Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron honored their sacrifice in a social media post.
«I offer the nation’s condolences, gratitude, and support to their families, loved ones, and all firefighters of France,» he stated.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez declared on Saturday that fires across France have so far scorched roughly 98,000 hectares, describing this as a «historic record.»
France has requested aid via the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. The EU announced on Friday that firefighting planes and helicopters from Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia would assist.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that Sweden is contributing firefighting aircraft to support the effort through this program.
Spain
Wildfires persist in the Madrid region and Ávila province of Spain, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
The Spanish government has declared a national emergency as fires endanger several communities, with more than 60,000 individuals evacuated to date.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, described the current fire as «the most severe» in the region’s history during Friday’s remarks.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized that the main focus remains on «protecting lives, shielding communities, and combating the fires.»
Coordination across all levels of government is ongoing to deploy resources effectively and assist evacuees, while promises have been made to support affected areas during the recovery phase.
Spain’s Civil Guard has activated 650 officers, 60 vehicles, and two helicopters to facilitate evacuation efforts.
According to European Union data, 1,254 wildfires have burned nearly 254,388 hectares across Europe since the start of the year.