Wildfires ravage France and Spain, displacing 300,000 people
Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire. Photo: Reuters
More than 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes and move to safer places as devastating wildfires have raged across France and Spain for several days. Firefighters are struggling to contain the blazes as extreme heat and strong winds continue to spread the fires rapidly.
In southwestern France, the fire is advancing toward the city of Bordeaux. Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in Spain. The European Union has also warned that wildfire damage across Europe this year could surpass all previous records.
Authorities ordered another 55,000 people to evacuate on Saturday from the Gironde and Landes regions in southwestern France. This has brought the number of people displaced by the wildfires in the country to nearly 250,000.
Fire official Captain Nicolas Braz told AFP that the fire is so intense that it is generating its own wind and vortices. He said, “The fire’s behavior is uncontrolled and beyond control.” He added, “Another difficult night lies ahead.”
To deal with the situation, the French government has deployed the military. Additional troops are clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks to prevent the flames from spreading further. President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild the affected areas, saying, “The government will stand by the people for as long as necessary.”
As strong winds carried smoke toward the city of Bordeaux, residents reported a strong smell of burning in the air. British tourist Spencer Randall, who had been vacationing near Bordeaux, said he fled with his family about 100 miles away early Saturday after the wildfire approached. Even there, he said, the smell of smoke remained noticeable.
Another British couple said the fire intensified after Friday evening. Ash has covered the swimming pool at their home, and walking outside leaves their feet black. They said, “The smoke affects the lungs immediately.”
Because of the wildfires, the final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday has been shortened from 133 kilometers to 89 kilometers to allow security personnel to be deployed in the affected areas.
Wildfires are also burning around Madrid in Spain. Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska said weather conditions have made it difficult to bring the fires under control. He also said strong winds are pushing the flames southward.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, “More difficult times lie ahead.” So far this year, 130,000 hectares of land have burned in Spain, exceeding the country’s average annual total of 100,000 hectares over the past decade.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, about 60,000 people have been evacuated from the Madrid and Ávila regions. More than 28,000 others have been ordered to remain in their homes.
On Saturday night, evacuation orders were also issued for at least eight municipalities near Toledo. Madrid regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso described it as the worst wildfire in the region’s history. In addition, a 70 year old man died in a wildfire in Valencia.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that more than 98,000 hectares have burned in the country since the beginning of 2026.
Meanwhile, more than 350 wildfires have broken out on the Italian island of Sicily, including 10 major fires. In Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, a wildfire has continued burning for 10 consecutive days.
European Union Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said the wildfire season began earlier than usual this year, and more heatwaves are forecast. As a result, wildfire damage across Europe could set a new record.
At France’s request, the European Union is sending firefighting aircraft, helicopters, and specialist teams from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said that 11 aircraft and helicopters from the EU’s joint firefighting fleet have been deployed to France and Spain.
Source: BBC ( Adapted)
