Firefighters struggle to contain Madrid wildfires, as more than 140,000 evacuated in France and Spain - BBC
Massive wildfires in France and Spain have forced over 220,000 people to evacuate as emergency services struggle to contain the blazes. Officials in Madrid have declared a national emergency, describing the situation as the worst in the region's history.
Why it matters
The scale of these wildfires highlights the increasing threat of climate-driven extreme weather events to European infrastructure and public safety.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Jessica Rawnsley Watch: Wildfires rage across France and Spain French authorities have ordered the evacuation of almost 60,000 people near Bordeaux, taking the total number of people told to flee wildfires in France and Spain to more than 220,000.
Around 200,000 people have been evacuated in south-west France in the Gironde and Landes regions. French President Emmanuel Macron has mobilised the military to assist the response.
Meanwhile, a fire near Madrid is "beyond the capacity" of firefighters to contain, Spanish officials have warned, after three fires west of the capital merged into a single blaze.
Spain's government has declared a national emergency, with 25,000 people told to evacuate and almost 40,000 told to stay indoors.
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