Firefighters battle France wildfire as tens of thousands evacuated near Bordeaux
Massive wildfires in the Gironde region of France have forced the evacuation of over 220,000 people as firefighters struggle to contain the erratic blazes. The fires are among the largest in France since World War Two.
Why it matters
The scale of the evacuations and the destruction of property underscore the increasing threat of extreme climate-related events in Europe.
Figure caption, Watch: Firefighters tackle wildfires in Ares and aerial footage shows destruction in Le Porge
Firefighters are battling to contain wildfires burning near to the city of Bordeaux as tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the surrounding region.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the situation in the region remained "very unfavourable" and the fire was "moving erratically towards" Bordeaux, though officials downplayed the possibility of evacuation.
Overnight into Sunday, about 55,000 people were evacuated from villages to the south of the city in the Gironde region, famed for its vineyards.
Wildfires have raged across Europe over the past week, primarily in France and Spain, where more than 330,000 people have been evacuated.
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