Firefighters battle wildfire as tens of thousands evacuated near Bordeaux
Emergency crews fight massive wildfires near Bordeaux as over 55,000 people are forced to evacuate overnight amid severe European heatwave conditions.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- More than 55,000 people evacuated from villages south of Bordeaux overnight on Sunday.
- French burnt area reaches 42,000 hectares, marking one of the largest blazes since WWII.
- A 60km stretch of the A63 motorway leading to Spain closed due to spreading flames.
- The Tour de France final stage shortened from 133km to 89km to reallocate security.
Wildfires continue to ravage parts of Europe, particularly in France and Spain, forcing over 330,000 individuals to evacuate their homes. Firefighters are currently locked in a fierce battle to contain blazes raging near the city of Bordeaux in southwestern France, famous for its vineyards, prompting tens of thousands of residents to flee for safety.
Speaking on Sunday, Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave stated that the fire was roughly 15 kilometres from the outer edges of the wider city region and 25 to 30 kilometres from the city centre, while downplaying the likelihood of an evacuation for Bordeaux itself. Overnight into Sunday, approximately 55,000 people were evacuated from villages south of the city within the Gironde region.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
France has borne the brunt of the disaster, with a staggering 42,000 hectares of land scorched, making it one of the most destructive forest fires since World War Two. Approximately 98,000 hectares have been destroyed nationwide since the beginning of the year, while total evacuations in the country's southwestern region have surpassed 220,000 people.
European summer wildfires are frequently intensified by prolonged heatwaves and dry spells, turning dead vegetation into combustible fuel. Strong winds further exacerbate the spread, complicating containment efforts and disrupting public infrastructure, major transit routes, and prominent events such as the Tour de France.
The massive rescue operation in the Gironde region involves 2,500 firefighters—including a specialized Swiss team—alongside 1,500 military personnel and nearly 1,200 police officers and gendarmes assisting with evacuations and site security. Dry vegetation and brisk winds have accelerated the fire's advance, forcing the closure of a 60-kilometre section of the A63 motorway leading toward Spain. Meanwhile, the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday was shortened from 133km to 89km to free up security forces for firefighting duties.
"A major public pact on the climate emergency"
Thomas Cazenave
Across the border in Spain, fires continue to spread aggressively, driving over 90,000 evacuations across regions surrounding Madrid and Avila. A new front also emerged near the coastal city of Valencia overnight into Sunday. Pilar Bernabe, the central government's delegate to Valencia, warned that regional conditions were expected to deteriorate throughout Sunday due to high temperatures and low humidity.
Source: BBC World
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment