Key facts
- France has experienced its worst wildfires in recent history, with nearly 98,000 hectares burned since the beginning of the year.
- Approximately 200,000 people have been evacuated from southwestern France due to the fires.
- France has requested and received assistance from other EU countries, including aircraft.
- Spain is also battling significant wildfires, declaring a state of emergency in some regions and evacuating or confining around 80,000 people.
France is currently contending with its most severe wildfire season in recent history, with nearly 98,000 hectares consumed by flames since the beginning of the year, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. The country is deploying military aircraft and receiving assistance from other European Union member states to combat the blazes.
In southwestern France, over 200,000 people have been evacuated, with the majority in the Gironde department and around 30,000 in the neighboring Landes department. President Emmanuel Macron has requested the activation of an EU emergency mechanism, leading to contributions of planes and helicopters from Portugal, Croatia, Slovakia, and Sweden.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed the EU's support for both France and Spain. France is already utilizing five planes and two helicopters from other EU nations, with four additional planes expected to arrive in Spain. A French military Airbus A400 plane was scheduled to begin dropping fire retardant on Saturday afternoon, supplementing existing firefighting aircraft.
Meanwhile, Spain is also grappling with significant wildfires, particularly in areas near Madrid and Ávila, where a state of emergency has been declared. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the priority is to save lives and protect communities. Approximately 80,000 individuals have been evacuated or are under confinement in Spain due to the fires.
The wildfires have ignited political debate in France, with opposition parties France Unbowed and National Rally criticizing President Macron's administration for alleged underinvestment in fire prevention and response.