More than 260K forced to flee amid European wildfires: What to know
Wildfires in France and Spain have forced more than 260,000 people to leave their homes as blazes spread amid severe heat and dry conditions. The scale of the evacuations has strained emergency services and prompted both countries to seek wider European assistance, underlining the growing disruption caused by major summer fires.
Around 70,000 people were evacuated in central Spain, while large fires affected areas near Madrid and Bordeaux, including France’s Gironde and Landes departments. Spain declared a national wildfire emergency for the first time, while France deployed firefighters, soldiers and aircraft; other European countries provided or prepared firefighting aircraft and helicopters. EU satellite data indicated that the area burnt across member states so far this year was among the largest on record.
In short
- Wildfires forced over 260,000 people to evacuate in France and Spain.
- Spain declared its first national wildfire emergency.
- European countries sent aircraft and other firefighting support.
Explained simply
Southern Europe is experiencing a major wildfire crisis, with large fires in France and Spain forcing more than 260,000 people to evacuate their homes. The fires are spreading rapidly because of extreme heat and very dry conditions, overwhelming the firefighting efforts of the two countries.
Spain has declared its first ever national wildfire emergency due to the scale of the crisis, and France has deployed firefighters, soldiers and aircraft to fight the blazes. Other European countries are sending or preparing to send firefighting aircraft and helicopters, showing that the situation now requires international help.
The total area burned by wildfires across the European Union this year is among the largest on record, demonstrating the scale of this summer's fire season.