France and Spain evacuate over 300,000 people as massive wildfires rage
More than 300,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated across France’s Gironde department and Spain’s central regions as wildfires scorch an area of roughly 420 km². In Gironde the blaze has destroyed about 240 homes and burned over 42,000 hectares, while Spain’s fires have incinerated more than 77,000 hectares, including the record‑large blaze near Ávila.
Firefighters on the ground number close to 3,000, supported by 23 water‑dropping aircraft and the construction of over 100 km of fire‑break lines. In France, 93 firefighters have been injured and one volunteer has died. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called it the largest peacetime civilian evacuation in the country’s history, and authorities have issued yellow heat warnings and allowed limited returns to three previously evacuated towns. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said there is “light at the end of the tunnel” despite the expected heat wave.
Both governments warn that rising temperatures and low humidity could reignite the fires, urging continued vigilance and adherence to safety instructions.
Entities: Gironde · Lacanau · Laurent Nunez · Pedro Sánchez · Sophie Brocas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] 93 firefighters have been injured during firefighting operations.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said there is light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against the fires. (Pedro Sánchez)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] One volunteer firefighter was killed in the French fires.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 3,000 firefighters and 23 aircraft have been deployed to fight the fires.
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 300,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain due to wildfires.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The fire in Gironde has burned about 420 square kilometres (≈42,000 hectares).
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 240 homes have been destroyed in the Gironde area.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the evacuation is the largest civilian evacuation outside wartime. (Laurent Nuñez)