Wildfire now nine miles away from French city of Bordeaux, mayor warns
Wildfires in the Gironde region of France have reached the outskirts of Bordeaux, forcing mass evacuations and threatening homes. Officials describe the situation as unprecedented, with extreme heat and dry conditions complicating firefighting efforts.
Why it matters
The escalating frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe highlight the growing impact of climate change on urban safety and emergency infrastructure.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, Firefighters in Gironde are facing an "unprecedented" situation as they battle a blaze that "has a life of its own", the interior minister has warned
The mayor of Bordeaux has said he is bracing for "all eventualities", as one of many wildfires raging in France is now 15km (nine miles) from the south-western city.
"We are preparing to accommodate a large number of people should further evacuations be ordered," said Thomas Cazenave.
Firefighters in the Gironde region were facing an "unprecedented" situation battling a fire that "has a life of its own", said Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
Some 220,000 people have been evacuated in France and more than 100,000 in Spain, where fires are burning "uncontrolled" west of Madrid.
Another intense heatwave on Tuesday could further hamper firefighting efforts.
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