BORDEAUX, France — Tens of thousands of residents and holidaymakers have been forced to flee their homes and campsites as devastating wildfires rage across southwestern France and central Spain, prompting mass evacuations, destroying homes and triggering a national emergency near the Spanish capital.
French authorities ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular Atlantic tourist destination west of Bordeaux, as fast-moving flames engulfed forests and threatened coastal communities. More than 40,000 people have been evacuated from the peninsula alone, with hundreds ferried across the Bay of Arcachon by boat while thousands more escaped via the area’s single access road.
The fires, which erupted earlier this week in France’s Gironde region, have already scorched approximately 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) of land. Local officials described the blaze as an “XXL fire” due to its unprecedented scale and intensity.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said authorities were mobilizing every available resource to protect lives and infrastructure as the wildfire continued to spread under extreme weather conditions.
Local prefect Sophie Brocas confirmed that 53 homes and a campsite had been destroyed, although firefighters successfully prevented flames from consuming around 2,000 houses.
Fire spreads at alarming speed
Fire and rescue chief Marc Vermeulen said the blaze intensified dramatically overnight, forcing emergency officials to order further evacuations, including the town of Arès.
He warned that the current fire season has become more dangerous than the catastrophic wildfires of 2022 because prolonged drought has left forests exceptionally dry.
“For several hours, the fire spread at speeds of between 800 and 1,000 hectares per hour,” Vermeulen said, describing explosive overnight fire behavior rarely seen in previous years.
Further south, another major wildfire near Biscarrosse in the Landes region forced the evacuation of more than 23,000 people, including residents, holidaymakers staying in campsites, nursing home occupants and children attending summer camps.
Authorities said more than 100 buildings have been partially or completely destroyed in the area.
Although no additional deaths were reported overnight, two French firefighters were killed earlier this week while battling another wildfire near Bordeaux Airport.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the country’s wildfire situation as “very tense,” particularly across Gironde, where emergency crews continue to battle multiple fronts.
The European Union has deployed three firefighting aircraft and two helicopters to support France’s response, while an additional four aircraft have been dispatched to assist Spain.
Spain declares national emergency
Across the border, Spain declared a national emergency as multiple wildfires burned out of control west of Madrid.
Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso called the disaster “the worst fire in the history of the Madrid region,” while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that thousands of hectares of forest were being destroyed and urged residents to strictly follow evacuation orders.
Wildfires burning around Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Burgohondo merged on Friday, creating a rapidly expanding fire front.
More than 19,000 people have now been evacuated from communities west of Madrid, including Chapinería, Navas del Rey and Colmenar del Arroyo, after emergency alerts instructed residents to leave immediately.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said approximately 12,000 hectares had already been consumed by flames in the Madrid and Ávila regions.
Tourists describe chaotic escape
Many holidaymakers described waking in the early hours to emergency alerts, sirens and thick smoke.
British tourist David Morton, who was vacationing with his family on the Cap Ferret peninsula, said they received evacuation messages shortly after 3 a.m.
“Everyone was driving with their lights on, very slowly. There were fire engines, ambulances and police everywhere. We could see several fires burning in the distance. It’s completely different from watching it on television.”
Another British visitor, Olivia Jarratt, said her family abandoned their tent, camping equipment and bicycles after sirens woke them during the night.
“Everyone was packing in panic,” she said. “There’s only one road off the peninsula, so people were trying to leave as quickly as possible.”
Climate concerns intensify
Meteorologists say soaring temperatures of up to 37°C (99°F), strong winds and prolonged drought have created ideal conditions for rapidly spreading wildfires across southern Europe.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme heatwaves, leaving forests drier and significantly raising wildfire risks across Mediterranean countries.
Firefighters remain on the front lines in both France and Spain as authorities warn that worsening weather conditions could hamper containment efforts over the coming days.
