Fires in Southern Europe Intensify: France and Spain Ramp Up Evacuations and Seek European Support

Forest fires continue to spread across France and Spain amid difficult weather conditions that have accelerated the blaze’s progression, prompting authorities to carry out large-scale evacuations and call on the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to bolster firefighting efforts.

The coastal area of Cap Ferret in France has witnessed the largest fire of the season, with flames consuming approximately 10,000 hectares. Authorities were forced to evacuate around 35,000 people, including residents and tourists, with some transported by boat to safe zones. Dozens of homes have also been damaged.

In Spain, authorities declared a state of emergency in areas near Madrid, citing warnings that some fires could get out of control and that major fire fronts might merge. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as “catastrophic.”

According to the Associated Press, the European Union announced the deployment of three aircraft to France and four to Spain to support firefighting operations. Official data indicate that since the beginning of the year, fire-damaged areas have exceeded 50,000 hectares in France and approximately 130,000 hectares in Spain.

Emergency teams continue their efforts to contain the spread of the fires and protect residents, as a heatwave and strong winds persist.