Swirling wildfires advanced inland toward Bordeaux’s outskirts on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of thousands from nearby suburbs. Meanwhile, in Spain, strong winds hampered efforts to contain a large blaze near Madrid. Both countries have evacuated hundreds of thousands due to these ongoing fires, which scientists attribute to prolonged droughts and successive heatwaves intensified by climate change. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated, “The fires impacting our country have reached unprecedented levels,” while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warned of a prolonged and challenging battle ahead, also announcing the closure of Bordeaux airport. French troops have been called in to assist firefighting teams, and Spain has declared its first national emergency over a wildfire, with three separate blazes, two of which merged on Friday. Spain expects four additional water-dropping aircraft — two from Italy and two from Greece — as part of a European Union cooperative response. Aircraft from the Netherlands and Portugal are already aiding the effort. High winds are fueling and spreading the fires on both sides of the border. The coast near Bordeaux, a popular tourist destination with pine forests that ignite easily, is also known for its renowned wines produced in local vineyards. Since the fires started this week, approximately 197,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions near Bordeaux. Over 63,000 individuals in Spain have been displaced or placed under house confinement due to the three major fires there. Nunez reported the fire is now about 30 kilometers (roughly 19 miles) from Bordeaux, with calmer conditions on Saturday, though wind speeds are expected to increase later in the day. Authorities have advised against road and rail travel in the area. In Madrid, many residents own second homes in the densely populated western suburbs, where the fires have merged. A third fire in Avila province threatens to connect with the Madrid blazes, as reported by government representative Nicanor Sen. Camper Esteban Carrasco described the destruction at the Monasterio de Pelayos campsite, where around 30 mobile homes were burned on Friday, forcing about 200 campers of modest means to evacuate. “It was a devastating event,” he said, showing the charred remains of mobile homes while others on the same road remained untouched; luckily, no injuries occurred. The air over Madrid was smoky on Friday but clearer by Saturday, though Spanish health officials continue to advise limiting outdoor activities and wearing masks if exposed to smoke or ash.
Wildfires near Bordeaux prompt evacuations as winds fuel Spanish blazes
