Tens of thousands of people flee raging wildfires in France and Spain
Massive wildfires in France and Spain have forced the evacuation of nearly 92,000 people, with significant damage reported in coastal regions. Emergency services are struggling to contain the blazes as international aid is requested.
Why it matters
Highlights the increasing frequency and severity of climate-driven natural disasters in Europe and the strain on emergency infrastructure.
Large forest fires are burning out of control in south-western France and central Spain, prompting authorities to evacuate an estimated 92,000 people from their homes.
Some even fled by boat when flames swept through the Cap Ferret peninsula on France's Atlantic coast, which is popular with tourists.
Dozens of firefighters have been injured, authorities said.
Some 50 square miles have been consumed by the blaze that has raged since Wednesday near Cap Ferret.
Wildfires also broke out in France's Le Proge region (Caroline Blumberg/AP)
Located just 37 miles from Bordeaux, the peninsula normally offers stunning landscapes and sandy beaches as well as oyster-farming villages and upmarket resorts.
About 67,000 residents in France escaped a larger area as authorities ordered additional evacuations further south after a separate wildfire broke out.
Both France and Spain have asked fellow European Union members for help.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in