In France’s southwest, a severe wildfire prompted the evacuation of 55,000 individuals overnight Sunday, totaling 220,000 evacuated in a single region. The flames threatened the wine region city of Bordeaux. Spain also managed its own evacuations on the east coast due to fires.
Shifting, strong winds and dry conditions hindered efforts to control the blaze raging since midweek in France’s Gironde region. Authorities issued new evacuation orders southwest of Bordeaux. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described another difficult night for fire crews working non-stop. The fire’s unpredictability, fueled by generating winds, posed a challenge as it approached Bordeaux.
“The situation remains very unfavorable,” Nunez stated. By the end of the night, conditions stabilized somewhat.
Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for affected individuals and rescue workers. He referenced the “devastating wildfires” during his Sunday Angelus prayer.
An estimated 42,000 hectares have burned in Gironde, comprising mostly forests dried by heat waves. This area equals seven Manhattan islands. Firefighters utilized trucks and aircraft for flare-ups, assisted by farmers providing additional water supplies.
The firefighting force increased to 2,500 personnel, aided by aircraft from other European nations, including helicopters. Military involvement saw an A400M aircraft deploying fire retardant. Gironde’s prefecture reports injuries to 75 firefighters and significant destruction to homes.
France witnessed the rare occurrence of a self-sustaining firestorm, generating lightning bolts capable of sparking new fires. Gironde fire chief Marc Vermeulen compared facing the firestorm to a hurricane.
Forecasted high temperatures could complicate firefighting efforts, warned Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas. Evacuees are barred from returning until fires are controlled, with travel discouraged to this region, known for Atlantic beaches and woodlands.
Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave reported the fire as nearing the metropolitan area but not yet requiring evacuation. Bordeaux, housing 268,000 citizens, prepared emergency shelters for evacuees.
A separate fire in the Landes region displaced 36,000, bringing southwest France’s total evacuation to over 250,000. Fires also affected the Var region, necessitating evacuation of nearly 3,000 individuals from the Mediterranean area.
In Spain, uncontrolled fires around Madrid led to further evacuations, including in Valencia. A casualty occurred in Manises, marking Spain’s first death from the recent fires. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the challenging hours ahead but noted positive progress in controlling flames.
Spain’s government reported 76,000 evacuees and 30,000 confined to homes. Concerns among evacuees grew over potential damage upon their return. Rocío Domínguez, evacuated from Chapinería, shared concerns over possible home loss.
Leicester contributed reporting from Paris, with further contributions from Associated Press journalists Jeffrey Schaeffer in Paris, Teresa Medrano in Madrid, Alicia León in Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain, and Maria Murru in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
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