325,000 victims of European wildfires to shelters

French and Spanish firefighters continue their efforts to contain massive wildfires that have forced more than 325,000 people to evacuate their homes, particularly near Bordeaux in southwestern France, where the flames are now approximately 15 kilometers from the city.

A large fire in the Gironde department on France’s Atlantic coast spread rapidly overnight, having already consumed an area of 42,000 hectares—more than four times the size of Paris.

In the Bordeaux region, famous for its vineyards, the government stated that the civilian evacuation is likely the largest in France outside of wartime.

This blaze ranks among the largest wildfires recorded in France since World War II.

New evacuation orders were issued overnight for residents of several areas in this major city, which has a population exceeding 850,000.

In nearby Cestas, which has a population of 17,000, Mayor Jerome Steff told BFMTV that “the area has fortunately been evacuated (...) We have a small number of people who refused to leave their homes.”

The fire, which has swept through the area surrounding the Arcachon Bay, threatens the suburbs of Greater Bordeaux, where approximately 220,000 people have been evacuated since Wednesday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated on the X platform that “the situation remains very dangerous” in Gironde, as well as in Landes and Var (southeastern France).

The fire in the Var department has spread to cover a total area of 4,500 hectares, despite firefighters’ efforts, with officials citing a “high risk of re-ignition” due to strong winds. Around 2,000 people have been evacuated.

While noting that the country faces “difficult hours,” he pointed to positive developments in containing the wildfires around Madrid.