France and Spain battle record wildfires as EU sends firefighting planes; over 40,000 evacuated

Record-breaking fire season

By the end of July, France had already recorded 311 wildfires, burning a record area since satellite monitoring began in 2006, according to the European Commission's Copernicus service. Spain has seen four times the average land burned for this time of year, with a record number of fires. Regional officials in Madrid described the conditions as a "perfect storm" of high temperatures and persistent strong winds. Max van Gerrevink, a researcher at Wageningen University, explained that satellites detect fires by the change from green vegetation to blackened surface.

Fire stands out because green vegetation turns into a black surface. That way you can easily and quickly see how large they are.

Mass evacuations along the Atlantic coast

In the Gironde department around Bordeaux, between 20,000 and 40,000 people were evacuated as fires consumed up to 10,000 hectares. Two firefighters died earlier while battling the blaze near Bordeaux, and 800 firefighters, 260 vehicles, five firefighting planes, and one helicopter were deployed. Firefighters described the situation as catastrophic. Further south, near Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born, a fire that started when a van caught fire destroyed more than 1,000 hectares and forced 9,000 people to flee. On the Cap-Ferret peninsula, 400 people were evacuated by boat. At a campsite in La Grigne, 3,500 holidaymakers were ordered to leave, and a beach at Le Porge was also cleared. The Dutch motoring organization ANWB reported that evacuated Dutch citizens were asking about extra costs and belongings left behind, though no injuries had been reported.

We were on the beach when we were sent back to the campsite. We had to pack our things.

Fires spread to the Mediterranean

In the Var department between Marseille and Nice, a wildfire that broke out on Wednesday near Pontevès spread to Cotignac, Montfort-sur-Argens, and Correns, burning more than 2,500 hectares. Firefighters said the blaze was somewhat under control by Friday but continued to smolder in many places, keeping emergency services on alert.

Spain declares first national wildfire emergency

Spain declared a national state of emergency for the first time over wildfires, covering the Madrid region and the province of Ávila. Between 10,000 and 19,000 people were evacuated around the capital. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the situation dramatic and said the government was deploying all available resources. Earlier in July, 13 people died in a fire in Almería, southern Spain.

The government is using all possible means to fight the fires.

EU mobilizes firefighting fleet

France activated the EU civil protection mechanism on Thursday night, and Spain followed. President Emmanuel Macron announced that two Croatian Canadairs, two Portuguese Air Tractors, and two Black Hawk helicopters from Czechia and Slovakia would reinforce French efforts. In total, the EU dispatched three planes and two helicopters to France, and four planes to Spain, with assets coming from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Czechia, and Croatia.

We can soon count on the reinforcement of two Croatian Canadairs, two Portuguese Air Tractors and two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from Czechia and Slovakia.

Climate link and outlook

Scientists noted that a wet winter and spring had produced abundant vegetation, which then dried out during successive heatwaves, creating ample fuel for fires. Temperatures in the Bordeaux area were expected to reach 39°C on 25 July, keeping conditions critical. The World Weather Attribution group concluded this month that the heatwaves are not separable from global warming.