The number of people forced to flee their homes in southwestern France has surpassed 220,000 as aggressive wildfires continue to sweep through the region. On Saturday night, local authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for five additional villages situated near Bordeaux. The rapid expansion of the fires has been exacerbated by a combination of dry, parched terrain and powerful winds.
By Saturday evening, the inferno had consumed approximately 32,700 hectares within the department. The disaster originated on Tuesday in the town of Saumos before tracking southwest toward Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret, eventually shifting east toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area over the weekend. Other departments currently facing wildfire threats include Landes, Var, and Hautes-Alpes.
To combat the emergency, a massive task force has been assembled, consisting of 1,400 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,700 security forces, supported by aerial firefighting equipment. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that five aircraft and two helicopters from the EU's rescEU fleet have been dispatched to assist French efforts. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the scale of the destruction, noting that nearly 100,000 hectares have burned nationwide since the start of the year, marking a historic record.
The crisis extends beyond French borders, with Spain also grappling with significant wildfires in the Madrid region and the province of Ávila. The Spanish government has declared a national emergency, with approximately 100,000 people evacuated in those areas. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the government's primary focus is to safeguard lives and protect communities, promising support throughout the recovery process. Francisco Martín Aguirre, a government delegate in the Community of Madrid, emphasized that the coming hours are crucial for protecting homes and infrastructure.
International support is being coordinated through the EU's civil protection mechanism. Italy has contributed 14 emergency personnel and two Canadair planes, while Portugal has deployed 129 personnel and 41 support vehicles. Furthermore, Greece has provided 33 personnel, two Canadair planes, and one additional support aircraft to bolster the firefighting operations.
