Wildfires in France and Spain have spread out of control, forcing the evacuation of more than 300,000 residents and tourists. The Times, the Associated Press, and others reported on the 26th (local time) that the flames had expanded to a point 15 kilometers from Bordeaux, a French wine-producing region.
Officials in Gironde département (a regional authority) where Bordeaux is located said they evacuated an additional 55,000 people from five towns overnight. Evacuees in the area rose to 220,000. A total of 240 dwellings were completely destroyed. In neighboring Landes département near Gironde, 36,000 people also evacuated. As of the morning, 42,000 hectares (420 square kilometers) had burned in Gironde. That is about four times the size of Paris.
Across France, 2,500 firefighters, 18 firefighting aircraft, and even military transport planes have been deployed for suppression efforts. However, foreign media noted that the work is difficult because the heat wave has dried vegetation and strong winds are blowing.
Spain declared a national state of emergency due to the wildfires. Sixty thousand people evacuated from Madrid, and residents also fled in Ávila (30,000) and Castellón (15,000). In these areas, 1,200 soldiers and 400 vehicles were deployed. At least 37 road sections near Madrid, Ávila, and Castellón were also closed. According to the Spanish Environment Ministry, 153,000 hectares have burned so far this year.