- More than 250,000 people have fled wildfires in France and Spain as blazes rage across both countries.
- Spanish PM Sánchez warned of "complex times ahead" and reported that 130,000 hectares have burned this year.
- The final leg of the Tour de France has been shortened from 133km to 89km to free security forces, while President Macron held an emergency meeting.
- The EU has sent firefighting aircraft and helicopters, with a commissioner warning that damage may surpass previous records.
More than 250,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to devastating wildfires in France and Spain, with 200,000 evacuations in France's Gironde and Landes regions. The situation is dire, as 30 fires rage across France, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to convene an emergency meeting.12367
In Spain, a state of emergency has been declared, with nearly 60,000 evacuations from the Madrid and Ávila regions. Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that 130,000 hectares have burned this year, surpassing the annual average of 100,000 hectares over the last decade.45
The wildfires have prompted military mobilization in France, with reinforcements sent to assist firefighters in clearing brush and creating fire breaks. The EU has also stepped in, sending 11 planes and helicopters to aid in firefighting efforts.
The final leg of the Tour de France has been shortened to 89km to allow security forces to focus on wildfire areas, highlighting the widespread impact of this crisis.
As conditions remain challenging, Hadja Lahbib, the EU's commissioner for crisis management, warned that the damage from these wildfires is likely to exceed previous records.
“Spain declared a state of emergency and evacuated nearly 60,000 people, with Madrid's regional president calling it the 'worst fire in history'. Meanwhile, the Tour de France's final leg was shortened to free security forces, and the EU sent firefighting aircraft as damage threatens to surpass records.”
BBC
