BORDEAUX / MADRID — Raging wildfires fueled by an extreme summer heatwave and fierce, shifting winds have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and tourists across southwestern France and central Spain, officials reported today.

More than 90,000 people have been displaced as emergency crews work around the clock in difficult terrain to contain the spreading blazes. The growing severity of the crisis has prompted both nations to invoke the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism for international assistance.

Coastal Pine Forests Blaze in Southwestern France

In France’s southwestern Gironde region, near Bordeaux, a massive wildfire that broke out near Saumos has consumed over 12,000 hectares of coastal pine forest. High winds pushed the flames toward the popular Cap Ferret peninsula, prompting authorities to order village-by-village evacuations.

Over 44,000 people—many of them holidaymakers staying at coastal resorts and campsites—were forced to flee.

Maritime Evacuations: Gridlock on main roadways prompted emergency responders to evacuate approximately 1,500 people by water, utilizing local ferry services and water taxis to transport stranded residents to Arcachon across the bay.
Landes Region Affected: Further south in the neighboring Landes region near Biscarrosse, a secondary fire burned through more than 2,500 hectares, forcing up to 31,000 additional evacuations.
EU Response: French President Emmanuel Macron announced that specialized firefighting air support—including Canadair water-bombers and heavy-lift helicopters—is being deployed to France from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Spain Declares National Emergency Amid Blazes Near Madrid

South of the Pyrenees, the Spanish government declared a national wildfire emergency as scorching conditions worsened fires threatening towns in the central region, particularly surrounding Madrid and the nearby province of Ávila. The Interior Ministry and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) have taken command of regional response operations.

Capital Region Threat: Two large fires burning west of Madrid merged into a single fast-moving wildfire, burning over 30 square kilometers. Regional officials described it as one of the most severe blazes the area has seen in recent history.
Mass Evacuations: Authorities evacuated over 18,000 people west of Madrid, alongside 1,500 residents displaced by a separate 90-square-kilometer blaze in Ávila.
Severe Heatwave: Firefighting efforts continue to be hampered by high temperatures, with thermometer readings topping 44°C (111°F) across southern and central Spain.
International Reinforcements: Italy and Greece have dispatched Canadair water-dumping aircraft to assist Spanish firefighting teams on the ground.

Outlook

Meteorologists warn that persistent dry conditions and unseasonably high temperatures will keep fire danger levels at "extreme" throughout the region over the coming days. Fire crews remain on high alert as containment efforts continue.