Wildfires are sweeping across southern France and spreading into Spain, forcing more than 300,000 people to leave their homes as authorities prepare for another wave of extreme heat.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to chair a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit areas affected by fires in Valencia, eastern Spain.
Gironde blaze among France’s largest evacuations
A major fire that began in the Gironde region of southwestern France has burned around 42,000 hectares, becoming one of the largest evacuation operations in the country’s history.
The wildfires have also affected around 77,000 hectares in Spain’s Ávila and Toledo regions, as well as areas west of Madrid.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the situation remained highly challenging, with the Gironde fire becoming extremely intense and unpredictable before easing somewhat overnight.
The blaze has been classified as an extremely dangerous and rare pyrocumulonimbus fire, a type of fire-generated cloud that can create its own winds and whirlwinds, making it difficult to control.
Thousands deployed to fight fires
French authorities have deployed around 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel and nearly 1,200 police officers to help contain the fires.
In Spain, emergency services continue battling major wildfires, with officials warning that unpredictable winds could fuel further spread.
Authorities in the Madrid region have evacuated or issued stay-at-home orders affecting around 60,000 people as firefighters work to bring the blazes under control.
Heatwave expected to worsen conditions
Officials across both countries remain concerned that rising temperatures during the week could intensify the situation and increase the risk of further outbreaks.
The Gironde prefecture said the situation remained generally stable overnight, with no major new developments reported.
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