Paris: French authorities have ordered the evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the south-west coast as a major wildfire continues to burn across the Gironde region, forcing hundreds of people to flee by boat.
The fire, which began on June 22 in Saumos, spread rapidly and consumed around 8,700 hectares. Firefighters continue efforts to contain the blaze through dry and windy conditions.
Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas ordered a full peninsula evacuation as conditions worsened, with around 20,000 people displaced across the region. No new casualties were reported, though two firefighters died earlier tackling a separate blaze near Bordeaux airport.
A major wildfire near Biscarrosse in the Landes region has triggered large-scale evacuations along the Atlantic coast. More than 23,000 people have been forced to leave homes, campsites, a nursing home and a summer camp as the threat continues.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the wildfire situation as ‘very tense’, particularly in the Gironde region. Macron requested assistance from the European Union, with firefighting aircraft expected from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Wildfires also intensified in neighbouring Spain, where authorities declared a national emergency. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported fires burning out of control near Madrid, including in Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Burgohondo in Ávila.
Emergency services evacuated several areas, including Aldea del Fresno, as efforts continued to limit the spread of the fires. While some progress was made in slowing their advance, conditions remain critical across affected regions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations intensify across the affected coastal regions. Further evacuations may be ordered if weather conditions worsen, as officials prioritise public safety and aim to prevent further loss and damage.
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