France evacuates 63,000 as wildfires rage; EU sends planes, Spain declares emergency

Fires rage along France's Atlantic coast

Multiple large wildfires are burning out of control in southwestern France, particularly in the Gironde department and around the Arcachon basin. The fires have destroyed 4,800 hectares near Bordeaux and 8,700 hectares north of Arcachon Bay, according to prefecture reports. Further south near Biscarrosse, a fire sparked by a delivery vehicle has consumed more than 2,500 hectares. In total, 63,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated, including 20,000 from the Cap Ferret peninsula, where ships ferried people to safety. Several campsites and holiday villages were cleared, and an exhibition hall in Bordeaux was turned into an emergency shelter. The fire near Bordeaux was possibly ignited by a vehicle used for mowing embankments. In the Var department northeast of Marseille, a previously contained wildfire flared up again, destroying 2,500 hectares and prompting the evacuation of 500 residents.

EU activates civil protection mechanism

President Emmanuel Macron activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism overnight, describing the situation as "very high tension" for France. "We will soon be able to count on reinforcements," Macron wrote on X. In response, EU partners are dispatching two Canadair planes from Croatia, two Air-Tractor planes from Portugal, and two Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. France is also converting an Airbus A400M military transport plane into a firefighting aircraft capable of dropping 20 tonnes of water; it is expected to be operational within ten days.

We will soon be able to count on reinforcements.

Spain declares national emergency

In Spain, the government declared a "national emergency of national scope" for the Madrid region and the neighbouring province of Ávila. The declaration, effective immediately, allows the state to mobilise additional resources and places operational command under a military crisis unit. Wildfires west of Madrid have spiralled out of control in recent days, mirroring the crisis in France.

Firefighting efforts and casualties

Around 800 firefighters, supported by 260 vehicles and multiple aircraft, are battling the blazes in France. Two firefighters have died in the Gironde, and another was injured by a gas cylinder explosion. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the crews, stating, "Tonight our emergency services are engaged in a real battle against the wildfires." He added, "To all those fighting the flames to protect the French people, their property and our forests: the nation stands behind you." Temperatures in the region are expected to reach 39°C, complicating containment efforts.

Tonight our emergency services are engaged in a real battle against the wildfires.

## Outlook The fires remain largely uncontained, and with high temperatures forecast to persist, the risk of further spread is acute. The EU assistance is expected to bolster aerial firefighting capacity, while the A400M conversion offers a longer-term boost. In the meantime, thousands of evacuees remain in temporary shelters, uncertain when they can return home.