A fierce wildfire in southwest France led to the evacuation of 55,000 individuals overnight, increasing the total to 220,000 in one region. The flames edge closer to Bordeaux, a city known for its wine. Spain also managed fire evacuations on its eastern coast.
Changing winds and dry conditions hinder efforts to control the fire in France’s Gironde region. Five more areas near Bordeaux were evacuated. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the situation as unfavorable, noting the fire’s unpredictable behavior. He stated the fire created its own winds and advanced erratically towards Bordeaux but calmed by night’s end.
Pope Leo XIV extended his concerns over the wildfires in France and Spain, urging prayers for the victims and rescue workers.
The Gironde prefecture reported approximately 42,000 hectares (162 square miles)—seven times the size of Manhattan—were consumed by the fire, mostly forests and drought-stricken scrubland. Firefighters used trucks, planes, and helicopters to combat flare-ups while farmers provided water tanks to assist firefighters continuously.
The number of deployed firefighters rose to 2,500, backed by aircraft and helicopters from other European nations. Soldiers were also involved. An A400M military cargo plane dropped retardant to curb the flames. Seventy-five firefighters were treated for injuries, and hundreds of homes were destroyed.
The blaze formed self-sustaining firestorms, creating occasional lightning that spurred new flare-ups. “It’s like facing a hurricane,” said Gironde fire chief Marc Vermeulen. High temperatures expected from Tuesday may further challenge the firefighting efforts, Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas warned.
Evacuees cannot return home until the fire is controlled. Brocas advised tourists to avoid the area that features popular beaches and major woodlands.
The fire approaches Bordeaux—approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) away—but evacuation isn’t planned for now, according to Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave. The city transformed an exhibition center into emergency accommodation with cots and food for evacuees, including seniors from care homes.
A second fire in the Landes region prompted 36,000 evacuations, increasing displacements in southwest France to above 250,000. Another blaze in France’s Var region along the Mediterranean resulted in nearly 3,000 more evacuations.
In Spain, wildfires around Madrid caused evacuations, affecting regions like Valencia. A fatality occurred in Manises, marking Spain’s first recorded death in these fires. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked on challenging conditions but noted improvements in controlling the flames.
Spain evacuated 76,000 people, with another 30,000 confined to homes. Evacuees remain concerned about their belongings. “It looked apocalyptic. Everything was covered in ash,” said Rocío Domínguez, who evacuated from Chapinería. She worries about the state of her home upon return.
Emma Da Silva reported from Bordeaux, and additional reporting was provided by journalists in Paris and Spain.