Key facts
- Evacuation orders issued for three suburbs of Bordeaux, France.
- Around 110,000 people have been displaced by wildfires in the Gironde department.
- Two firefighters died in Mérignac, France.
- Spain declared a national emergency due to widespread wildfires.
- Over 1,254 fires have burned 254,388 hectares in Europe this year.
Evacuations have been ordered for three suburbs of Bordeaux, France, as wildfires continue to devastate southern Europe. Residents of Le Haillan, Eysines, and Mérignac were told to leave immediately due to an "unprecedented" wildfire that has burned around 19,000 hectares in the Gironde department this week, forcing approximately 110,000 people to flee.
The blaze, which began in Saumos on Tuesday, spread towards Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret before moving east towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area. Bordeaux has opened the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre to house evacuees. Tragically, two firefighters died while tackling flames in Mérignac on Tuesday, prompting a tribute from French President Emmanuel Macron.
France has requested assistance through the EU's civil protection mechanism, with planes and helicopters from Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia set to provide aid. Sweden is also sending firefighting aircraft.
In Spain, fires are raging in the Madrid area and the province of Ávila, with thousands forced to flee. The Spanish government has declared a national emergency, with the president of the Community of Madrid calling the blaze "the worst" in local history. The Civil Guard has deployed 650 officers, 60 vehicles, and two helicopters to assist with evacuations.
According to EU figures, 1,254 fires have burned through approximately 254,388 hectares in Europe since the start of the year.