France and Spain wildfires trigger mass evacuations of 200,000

Wildfires raging across southwestern France and central Spain have forced more than 200,000 people to leave their homes. In France, authorities report around 140,000‑150,000 evacuated from the Gironde and Landes departments, while Spain’s emergency response has moved about 60,000 residents out of the Madrid‑Avila region. The blazes have burned tens of thousands of hectares, fueled by extreme heat, strong winds and prolonged drought linked to climate change.

No fatalities have been confirmed, though dozens of firefighters have been injured. French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the deployment of over a thousand soldiers to support firefighting efforts, and the EU has sent additional aircraft and crews. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared a national emergency, describing the situation as “dramatic.” Evacuations have included the tourist‑heavy Cap Ferret peninsula, where residents and visitors were rescued by boat. Authorities continue to battle the fires with ground crews, helicopters and aerial water drops, while monitoring the threat to the Bordeaux metropolitan area.

The incidents underscore the growing strain on emergency services in southern Europe as climate‑driven heat waves intensify the wildfire season.