France orders evacuation of peninsula as hundreds flee wildfires by boat
Authorities in France have ordered the evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires continue to spread across the Gironde region. Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national emergency due to out-of-control fires near Madrid.
Why it matters
The escalating wildfire crisis in Europe highlights the increasing threat of climate-driven natural disasters to populated areas and tourism hubs.
Image source, Getty Images By Cachella Smith Published 8 minutes ago Authorities in France have ordered the evacuation of the entirety of the Cap Ferret peninsula (Lège-Cap Ferret) in the south-west of France, with hundreds of people escaping the area by boat.
The tourism hot spot is being evacuated as firefighters continue to battle a wildfire that has raged in the Gironde region for days.
The fire, which began on Tuesday in Saumos, continued its progression overnight with 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres) consumed by the flames.
Meanwhile, the government in Spain has declared a national emergency as wildfires burn out of control in several areas close to the capital Madrid.
Two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling the blaze near Bordeaux's airport with officials saying on Friday morning that no new injuries had been reported.
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