Wildfires continue to devastate southern Europe, with authorities in southwestern France reporting that over 220,000 people have now been evacuated from the Gironde department. The region's main blaze, which ignited near the town of Saumos on Tuesday, has spread rapidly due to dry conditions and strong winds, reaching the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area over the weekend.
According to the Gironde prefecture, the fire had consumed approximately 32,700 hectares by Saturday evening. Evacuation orders were issued for five additional villages around Bordeaux on Saturday night as the flames advanced. The fire moved southwest toward Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret earlier in the week before turning eastward.
Massive Firefighting Response
French authorities have mobilised around 1,400 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,700 security forces to combat the wildfires. Aerial firefighting resources, including aircraft and helicopters, are also providing support. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Saturday that five aircraft and two helicopters from the EU's rescEU fleet had been deployed to France.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the situation as unprecedented, noting that nearly 100,000 hectares have burned across the country since the start of the year—a figure he called a "historic record." Wildfires are also affecting the departments of Landes, Var, and Hautes-Alpes.
The scale of the evacuations underscores the severity of this year's fire season, which has been exacerbated by a prolonged drought and repeated heatwaves. A June heatwave in France was already linked to over 5,800 excess deaths, the worst toll since 2003.
Spain Declares National Emergency
In Spain, wildfires continue to burn across the Madrid region and the province of Ávila. The Spanish government has declared a national emergency in these areas, where around 100,000 people have been evacuated. The EU's civil protection mechanism has been activated, with member states providing resources.
Italy has sent 14 emergency personnel and two Canadair planes, while Portugal has contributed 129 personnel and 41 support vehicles. Greece is also providing 33 personnel, two Canadair planes, and one support aircraft. Francisco Martín Aguirre, the delegate of the Spanish government in the Community of Madrid, described the next few hours as "crucial," adding that authorities are making a major effort to protect facilities, homes, and housing estates.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told reporters on Saturday that the priority is to "safeguard lives, protect communities and fight the fires." The fires near Madrid and Ávila have forced the evacuation of entire towns, with residents seeking shelter in temporary centres.
The situation in both countries highlights the growing threat of wildfires across southern Europe, a trend linked to climate change and land management practices. Earlier this month, deadly wildfires in the region claimed the lives of three firefighters. As the fire season continues, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders.
