French authorities have ordered the full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the south-west coast as a major wildfire continues to spread in the Gironde region. Hundreds of holidaymakers have left by boat, while others are being directed towards Bordeaux by road; the situation matters because the fires have already caused deaths, displaced tens of thousands and required international assistance.

The Gironde blaze, which began in Saumos on Tuesday, has burned about 8,700 hectares, while two firefighters died near Bordeaux airport. Elsewhere in the Landes region, fires around Biscarrosse and Parentis-en-Born have forced more than 23,000 people from homes, campsites and care facilities; President Macron has sought EU aircraft support. Spain has also declared a national emergency as fires near Madrid and in Ávila remain out of control despite limited recent progress.