More than 300,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated from regions in France and Spain as firefighters work to contain large-scale wildfires. In southwestern France, officials reported that strong winds have pushed flames toward the city of Bordeaux, prompting an additional 55,000 evacuations in the Gironde and Landes regions. French authorities have deployed military personnel to assist in creating fire breaks, while the final stage of the Tour de France was shortened to allow local security forces to relocate to the affected areas.
In Spain, a state of emergency has been declared as fires continue near Madrid and Avila. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that weather conditions, including high temperatures and shifting winds, have hindered containment efforts. According to the Spanish interior ministry, approximately 60,000 people have been evacuated from central regions, with another 28,000 residents remaining under confinement orders to protect against smoke and advancing flames.
Authorities in Valencia confirmed the death of one individual, a man in his 70s, who was found in his vehicle during firefighting operations in Manises. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that 130,000 hectares of land have burned across Spain this year, exceeding the 10-year annual average of 100,000 hectares. Both nations continue to utilize aerial support and ground crews to address dozens of active blazes.