Bordeaux, France, July 27: Nearly 3,00,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain as large wildfires continue to spread, threatening residential areas, forests and infrastructure, according to France 24.
French authorities said around 2,20,000 people have been evacuated across the country. In neighbouring Spain, more than 75,000 residents have left their homes, while another 30,000 have been advised to remain indoors.
In France, firefighters are working to stop the advancing flames from reaching Bordeaux after fires spread across the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast and nearby areas. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said the main firefront was about 15 kilometres from the city’s main entry points. Although there were no immediate plans to evacuate Bordeaux, which has a metropolitan population of about 8,50,000, authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the wildfire remained out of control and was moving towards the city. He said the overall situation was unprecedented and that officials would continue to assess developments.
Authorities also released footage showing police carrying out overnight door-to-door evacuations in the municipalities of Marcheprime and Cestas, urging residents to leave their homes.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited wildfire-affected areas in Avila, one of three central provinces, along with Madrid and Toledo, where major fires continue to burn.
Spanish Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said more than 50,000 hectares of land have been destroyed in Avila alone, making it the country’s largest wildfire in recent history.
A separate wildfire in Castellon province in eastern Spain has burned more than 4,300 hectares and spread into the Sierra de Espadan Natural Park, threatening pine and cork oak forests.
Valencian regional leader Juanfran Perez said the fire remained out of control and was difficult to contain because of prevailing weather conditions.
Under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, Greece and Italy have each deployed two Canadair firefighting aircraft to Spain, while Portugal has sent more than 100 military personnel and specialised equipment. Spain’s Interior Ministry said two firefighting aircraft from Turkey are also expected to arrive shortly.
Prime Minister Sanchez said the Spanish government will declare a civil protection emergency for the affected central provinces on Tuesday, allowing the release of recovery funds. He added that more than 1,50,000 hectares have been destroyed by wildfires across Spain since January, six times the area burned during the same period last year, according to France 24.