160,000 Flee as Heatwave Fuels Devastating Wildfires in France and Spain

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Paris: More than 160,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain as fast-moving wildfires blaze through tinder-dry landscapes, fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds.

In southwestern France, at least 141,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions, which include the famous Cap Ferret peninsula near Bordeaux. Flames threatened homes, campgrounds, and key escape routes, so residents and tourists escaped by car and, in some cases, boat.

The biggest fire near Cap Ferret has burnt over 12,500 hectares of woodland, destroying dozens of homes and a campsite. Authorities reported that the fire was rapidly spreading and difficult to contain.

Fires near Madrid and Ávila have forced approximately 60,000 residents in Spain to evacuate or stay indoors. Two flames west of Madrid fused into a single blaze, while another fire in Ávila still threatens neighbourhoods.

Spain declared its first national emergency due to wildfires, coordinating firefighting activities centrally. More than 2,000 men and aircraft have been dispatched to combat the fires.

The flames occur as much of southern Europe undergoes another extreme heatwave, with temperatures reaching 39°C in areas of Spain. Authorities and scientists warn severe heat, parched vegetation, and strong winds are creating perilous conditions for wildfires to spread quickly.