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- The Gironde fires, which began Tuesday, have burned about 10,000 hectares and destroyed at least 53 homes and a campsite.
- Authorities also evacuated the town of Arès, while officials said around 2,000 properties were saved by emergency crews.
- A separate wildfire near Biscarrosse in the Landes region has forced more than 23,000 people to leave their homes and damaged 105 buildings.
- Spain has declared a national emergency as major wildfires near Madrid continue, with more than 10,000 people evacuated and EU aircraft deployed.
Wildfires in France have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from the Cap Ferret peninsula on the country’s south-west Atlantic coast, as firefighters continue battling major blazes in the Gironde region.
French authorities ordered the evacuation of the entire peninsula, with many residents and holidaymakers leaving by boat while others escaped by road.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said around 40,000 people had either been evacuated or were in the process of leaving the area.
The fires, which began on Tuesday, have already burned around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of land.
Homes destroyed as firefighters battle blaze
Local officials said at least 53 homes and a campsite have been destroyed, although around 2,000 properties have been saved by emergency crews.
Fire and rescue chief Marc Vermeulen said the blaze intensified rapidly overnight, prompting authorities to evacuate the town of Arès on Friday morning.
Further south, another major wildfire near Biscarrosse in the Landes region has forced more than 23,000 people to leave their homes, campsites, a nursing home and a summer camp.
Authorities said 105 homes and other buildings have been partially or completely destroyed.
No new casualties were reported overnight, although two firefighters died earlier this week while tackling a separate blaze near Bordeaux Airport.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the wildfire situation as “very tense”, particularly in the Gironde region.
The European Union has deployed three firefighting aircraft and two helicopters to support France’s emergency response.
Holidaymakers evacuated overnight
British tourist David Morton, who was holidaying with his family on the peninsula, said they received emergency alerts at around 3 am ordering them to leave immediately.
He described long queues of traffic, emergency vehicles lining the roads and huge flames consuming the surrounding forest.
“It was different from seeing it on television,” he told the BBC. “You could see the whole forest was on fire.”
Authorities said the evacuation was carried out calmly and that police would patrol evacuated areas to prevent looting.
Spain declares national emergency
Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national emergency as several major wildfires continue to burn west of Madrid.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as “dramatic” and said the fires were devastating thousands of hectares of land.
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from affected communities, including Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Burgohondo.
Spanish authorities said the fires remain out of control, although their spread has slowed in recent hours.
The European Union has also deployed four firefighting aircraft to assist Spanish emergency services.
Climate change increasing wildfire risk
Europe remains the fastest-warming continent, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Scientists say rising temperatures, prolonged drought and dry vegetation are increasing the likelihood and intensity of wildfires, particularly across southern Europe.
Strong winds and extremely hot conditions continue to hamper firefighting efforts in both France and Spain.
Also read: Spain, France battle wildfires as intense heat grips Southern Europe
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