Firefighters in France are desperately battling fierce wildfires that have crept within nine miles of Bordeaux, as a heatwave is expected to push temperatures to 41°C. The crisis has been described by President Emmanuel Macron as the most difficult situation France has faced since the Second World War.
Mass Evacuations Underway
Over 260,000 residents in southwestern France have already been forced to leave their homes. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave confirmed that authorities are preparing for all eventualities, including arrangements to accommodate a large number of people should further evacuations be ordered.
The fires have consumed more than 42,000 hectares—an area four times the size of Paris. The disaster has claimed the lives of two firefighters, with 88 others sustaining injuries.
Spain Also Affected
In neighbouring Spain, 63,000 people near Madrid have received evacuation orders. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the disaster the most painful expression of the climate emergency, while Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stressed that the coming days will be absolutely crucial in fighting the fires given the high temperature forecasts.
Heatwave Fuels Flames
National weather service Météo-France has placed the Gironde region under a yellow alert for high temperatures, with the heat expected to peak on Wednesday. President Macron praised fire crews for preventing the inferno from spreading further but warned that the battle is not over. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the country is battling between 30 and 40 wildfires daily.
