French Authorities Evacuate Towns Near Bordeaux as Wildfires Advance Across France and Spain
Authorities said the fire has already forced 197,000 people from homes and prompted 1,000 soldiers to join firefighting efforts.
- A sudden shift in wind conditions has transformed a massive wildfire in southwestern France into a large, self-sustaining inferno, forcing authorities to order emergency evacuations for several western suburbs of Bordeaux, including areas surrounding the city's airport.
- The French Interior Ministry reported that the fast-moving blaze has already scorched over 140 square kilometers of forest in the Gironde and Landes departments, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to mobilize military support and officially request assistance from the European Union.
- In a dramatic rescue operation on the Atlantic coast, small water taxis, personal watercraft, and larger rescue boats successfully evacuated thousands of stranded holidaymakers and residents from the upmarket Cap Ferret peninsula after flames completely blocked the only exit road.
- Across the border, the Spanish government declared its first-ever national emergency for a wildfire as two massive blazes merged into a single out-of-control front just west of Madrid, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from the capital's surrounding towns.
- Regional leaders in both countries described the crises as completely unprecedented, attributing the rapid, erratic behavior of the flames to a perfect storm of blistering triple-digit summer temperatures, severe long-term drought, and relentless heavy winds.
226 Articles
226 Articles
Globo
La RepúblicaMore than 250,000 people fled cities and villages in Spain and France as out-of-control forest fires advanced towards Madrid and Bordeaux — metropolitan areas that together house more than 8 million inhabitants. On Saturday, authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of some suburbs west of Bordeaux, the city of southwest France famous for its wines. Bordeaux airport continues to operate. About 197 thousand people were evacuated in the Gironde…
Around 200,000 people in France have already been brought to safety before the forest fires in the south of the country. Interior Minister Nuñez does not rule out an evacuation of Bordeaux.
The forest fires in France have triggered a wave of evacuations, and holidaymakers are also affected. France is mobilising soldiers.
In Gironde, the fire from Saumos has reached 40,000 hectares and is heading towards Bordeaux, where the smoke has triggered a pollution warning. In the Landes, the fire from Biscarrosse, considered "apocalyptic", destroyed more than a hundred buildings. In total, almost 200,000 people have been evacuated to the South-West. Follow our direct. Follow our direct.
The forest fires in France and Spain have triggered a wave of evacuations: around 270,000 people have had to leave their homes. Holidaymakers are also affected. France is mobilising soldiers.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
