Extreme weather has triggered mass evacuations in France and Spain, where wildfires are spreading uncontrollably. In total, more than 220,000 people have been forced to leave their homes to escape the threat of flames engulfing south-west Europe.
In France, nearly 60,000 people have been evacuated near Bordeaux, while around 200,000 residents have been moved in the regions of Gironde and Landes. French President Emmanuel Macron has responded by deploying the military to assist firefighters in battling the fire advancing on the city.
In Spain, the government has declared a national emergency due to the intensity of the fires. 25,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, while a further 40,000 have been advised to stay in enclosed spaces for safety.
The fire near Madrid has merged into a single large blaze after three fires to the west of the capital merged. Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, described the situation as the worst fire in the region’s history, caused by a “perfect storm” of high temperatures, relentless wind, and the merging of fire fronts.
Local authorities reported that the fires are moving towards the municipalities of Robledo de Chavela and Fresnedillas de la Oliva, located 50 kilometres from the capital. Carlos Novillo, head of the emergency management office for the Madrid regional government, stated that the fire is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to bring under control.
Mr Novillo emphasised that direct attack on the fire in this area is not possible, so defensive measures are being taken to prevent the fire from spreading further into populated areas.
