France evacuates 20,000 as Gironde forest fires prompt EU aid
Massive forest fires have ripped through the Gironde department in southwest France, scorching roughly 8,700 hectares and forcing the evacuation of about 20,000 people from the tourist peninsula of Lège‑Cap‑Ferret and surrounding villages. The French fire services have deployed 800 firefighters, 260 vehicles, five water‑bombing aircraft and a rescue helicopter, while additional assets are being sent under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
President Emmanuel Macron announced that the EU will quickly provide two Canadair aircraft from Croatia, two Air‑Tracer planes from Portugal and two Black Hawk heavy helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The aid is intended to bolster aerial suppression of the blazes that have also spread to Biscarrosse, the Var department and, indirectly, to parts of Spain, where a national emergency was declared and more than 10,000 residents were evacuated.
No fatalities have been recorded; one firefighter suffered a minor injury and limited property loss has been reported. Local authorities in Gironde have also imposed a 24‑hour ban on the use of thermal and electric engines in forested areas to reduce ignition risk.