- Wildfires in regions outside Madrid have burned about 606 sq miles (1570 sq km) since 1 July, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (Effis).
- From 22 July, the blaze spread rapidly, burning more than 162 sq miles (420 sq km) in less than four days.
- In France, the worst affected area has been the Gironde, where more than 200,000 people were forced from their homes.
- Four French firefighters have died while on duty, officials say.
- Officials in the Spanish capital Madrid have said the fires are the worst the region has ever experienced.
- French President Emmanuel Macron called the wildfire in the Gironde region "completely unprecedented" and the "toughest since World War Two".
- The wildfire came as close as nine miles (15km) from the south of Bordeaux, although the city was never under serious threat.
- The fires have threatened sensitive military and industrial sites, including facilities that work on French ballistic missiles and hazardous chemicals.
- In Gironde, about 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,200 police officers have been involved in tackling the blaze.
- Spanish teams are using similar techniques to tackle their wildfires, which are on course to become the worst the country has seen in two decades.
- Francisco Martín, a government delegate in Madrid, described one of the fires as "undoubtedly the largest fire in the history of the Madrid region".
- "The climate emergency is worsening year after year," said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, emphasizing the need for unity in fighting fires.
Wildfires across Europe have reached alarming levels, particularly in Spain and France, with Madrid experiencing its worst fires on record. Since mid-July, over 300,000 people have been forced to evacuate as flames ravage vast areas.1510
In Spain, officials describe the fires as the largest in the region's history. Francisco Martín, a government delegate in Madrid, stated, "undoubtedly the largest fire in the history of the Madrid region."11
In France, the Gironde region has been severely impacted, with more than 200,000 evacuations. President Emmanuel Macron called the wildfire there "completely unprecedented" and the "toughest since World War Two."369
The fires have consumed approximately 606 sq miles (1570 sq km) in Spain alone, while in France, the Gironde blaze spread rapidly, burning over 162 sq miles (420 sq km) in just four days.2
Firefighters from both countries are employing advanced techniques, including planes that can drop thousands of liters of water directly onto the flames. In Gironde, around 2,500 firefighters and 1,500 military personnel are engaged in firefighting efforts, with four firefighters reported dead.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need for unity in combating the climate emergency, stating, "The climate emergency is worsening year after year, and we are required to be united to fight against fire, as well as in prevention and reconstruction."12
“In Gironde, about 2,500 firefighters, 1,500 military personnel, and 1,200 police officers are tackling the blaze, which has forced over 200,000 people from their homes. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the worsening climate emergency, stating, "We are required to be united to fight against fire, as well as in prevention and reconstruction."”
BBC
