French President Emmanuel Macron visited a coordination center in southwest France to support fire crews battling an enormous wildfire. Macron stressed the fight will be lengthy but promised, “We will win this battle together.”
The fire, described as unpredictable, has affected an area four times the size of Paris, forcing 220,000 residents to evacuate. Macron called it the worst fire-related crisis for France since World War II. He praised firefighters for halting the fire’s progress near Bordeaux but cautioned that dry forests could pose challenges as heatwaves loom.
Firefighters and water-dropping aircraft are striving to contain the flames before temperatures rise. The national weather service expects temperatures in southwest France to hit 35 C (95 F) from Tuesday. Meanwhile, authorities are tending to the 250,000 evacuees displaced by two major fires. Macron mentioned the trauma experienced by those who lost everything. No new evacuations were ordered on Monday.
With the peak tourist season approaching, authorities around Bordeaux have urged against travel to the region, famed for its beaches and wines. Holiday camps for children and people with disabilities have been banned to manage risks. Crews are using earth movers to clear strips of land to block the fire’s advance. Nearby farmers are assisting fire crews by transporting water.
The fire chief briefed Macron on the challenging conditions encountered, noting the fire’s erratic nature and its ability to create electrical storms, causing further flare-ups. “The last 24 hours went well, thanks to your work,” Macron told firefighters. “Tomorrow will be tougher.”
Spain and Italy Also Battle Fires
Assistance in the form of planes, helicopters, and additional firefighters has come from around a dozen countries to support France and Spain, the latter also combating severe wildfires. In Spain, fires near Madrid and in Valencia led to 79,000 evacuations and confinement of 30,000 residents. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attributed these events to climate change, noting increased frequency of heatwaves and violent wildfires.
Spain’s largest recorded wildfire in Ávila west of Madrid has consumed 500 square kilometers (193 square miles), an area five times bigger than Barcelona. Local gardener David Gonzalez, assisting in fire efforts, expressed anger and helplessness at the devastation.
This year, Spain has seen 1,530 square kilometers (590 square miles) burned, six times the area seen by mid-2025. Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen warned of another heatwave, Spain’s fourth this year, expected to heighten fire risk, with temperatures predicted to surpass 40 C (104 F).
In Italy, strong winds fueled a wildfire near Peschici in the Puglia region on Sunday. The blaze required the evacuation of 300 tourists from beaches and campgrounds, with support from Canadair planes and ground crews. Evacuations were managed by the Coast Guard, moving tourists by sea to a temporary shelter in Vieste. The incident recalled severe 2007 wildfires in the region.
Associated Press writers contributed to this report, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by firefighting crews across Europe.