French firefighters are battling to control fierce wildfires just nine miles from Bordeaux as temperatures are forecast to reach 41°C under an incoming heatwave. The ongoing crisis has been labeled the "most difficult situation" France has encountered since the Second World War by President Emmanuel Macron.
Wildfires Advance on Bordeaux
The fires have already consumed more than 42,000 hectares—an expanse four times larger than Paris. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave confirmed that authorities are preparing for "all eventualities," including making arrangements to "accommodate a large number of people should further evacuations be ordered."
Evacuations and Casualties
Over 260,000 residents in south-west France have been forced to evacuate their homes. The disaster has claimed the lives of two firefighters, with a further 88 suffering injuries.
"We're facing a completely unprecedented fire," President Emmanuel Macron said, describing the situation as France's worst fire-related crisis since World War II. He praised fire crews for preventing the inferno from spreading further after days of flames advancing towards the city of Bordeaux, but warned that the battle is not yet over.
Crisis in Spain
In neighbouring Spain, 63,000 people near Madrid have received evacuation orders. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterised the disaster as "the most painful expression of the climate emergency," while Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska highlighted that the coming days will mark an "absolutely crucial" period in fighting the fires given the high temperature forecasts.
Weather Alert
National weather service Météo-France has placed the south-west region of Gironde under a yellow alert for high temperatures. The heat is expected to peak on Wednesday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told France 2 TV that the country is battling between 30 and 40 wildfires on a daily basis.
