Wildfires in France and Spain Lead to Massive Evacuations
In southwest France, a fierce wildfire prompted an overnight evacuation of 55,000 individuals on Sunday. This increased the total number of evacuees to 220,000 in a single region, as the fire neared the renowned wine city of Bordeaux. Simultaneously, Spain conducted fire-related evacuations on its eastern coast.
Gusting winds and dry conditions complicated efforts to manage the massive blaze, which has been burning uncontrollably in France’s Gironde region since midweek. This area includes Bordeaux. Authorities enforced evacuation orders for five more localities southwest of the historic city.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez highlighted the challenges, calling it “another difficult night” for fire crews working tirelessly to contain the fire. He noted that the blaze covered an area four times the size of Paris. “The fire was extremely virulent and unpredictable, advancing erratically toward Bordeaux,” Nunez shared. “It calmed by the end of the night,” he added.
In a call for unity, Pope Leo XIV encouraged prayers for those affected by the devastating wildfires in France and Spain. After his Sunday Angelus prayer, he expressed solidarity with victims and rescue workers.
In Gironde, an estimated 42,000 hectares (162 square miles) have burned. This is seven times the size of Manhattan and four times that of Paris. Firefighters mobilized with 2,500 personnel, along with 18 planes and helicopters, some from other European countries. Soldiers were also involved.
Marc Vermeulen, Gironde fire chief, noted that the firestorms generated lightning, causing new flare-ups. “It’s like facing a hurricane,” he said.
High temperatures starting Tuesday could make firefighting efforts harder, Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas warned. Evacuees cannot return until the fire is controlled. She advised tourists against visiting the popular Atlantic beaches and vast woodlands in the region.
Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave mentioned that the fire is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city’s metropolitan area. He stated that an evacuation of the city, home to 268,000 people, isn’t planned. An exhibition center has been converted into an emergency shelter for evacuees.
A separate fire in the Landes region forced 36,000 evacuations, raising the total number in southwest France to over 250,000. Another blaze in the Var region of southern France displaced nearly 3,000 more residents.
In Spain, uncontrolled wildfires around Madrid led to evacuations, notably in the Valencia region. A man died in a wildfire in Manises. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the ongoing challenges but praised the progress in controlling flames.
Total evacuations in Spain reached 76,000, with 30,000 others confined to their homes. Evacuees like Rocío Domínguez, who fled her home west of Madrid, are anxious about returning, unsure of what they will find.
Domínguez remarked, “It looked like the apocalypse. Everything was covered in ash.” She expressed concern about her home, saying, “We don’t know if we’ll find half the house burned or intact.”
Associated Press journalists contributed to this report from various locations in France and Spain.