Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes and holiday camps as fast-moving wildfires continue to spread across the Gironde region in southwestern France.
Authorities say around 12,000 people have already been evacuated, while another 8,800 residents and visitors are being relocated as a precaution.
According to local fire officials, the flames have destroyed approximately 3,100 hectares of land near the Bay of Arcachon, with strong winds and rising temperatures making firefighting efforts increasingly difficult.
Most of those evacuated were visitors staying at campsites on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, while additional campsites in nearby Claouey were cleared as the fire continued to spread. Officials say the evacuations have been carried out safely, with no injuries reported.
Gironde Prefect Sophie Brocas confirmed that nearly 10,000 tourists were among those evacuated overnight. Authorities have also closed several roads and forest areas to protect the public and allow emergency crews to operate.
Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze, but changing weather conditions remain a major concern. Emergency officials warned that stronger winds could cause the fire to shift direction, making it more unpredictable.
The latest emergency comes just days after two firefighters lost their lives while battling another wildfire near Bordeaux Airport, highlighting the dangers facing emergency responders.
Residents described dramatic scenes as thick smoke covered the sky and ash fell across nearby communities. Some families had only minutes to leave their homes, with many forced to abandon personal belongings and pets during the evacuation.
The wildfire crisis is not limited to France.
In Italy, authorities continue battling hundreds of fires across Sicily. More than 350 fires have been reported on the island, including several major blazes that triggered precautionary evacuations. One firefighter died while responding to a wildfire, while another was injured.
Italian officials believe many of the fires were caused by human activity, describing the growing number of incidents as both a public safety and law enforcement challenge.
Meanwhile, Spain is also facing severe wildfire conditions. Residents have begun returning to parts of the Toledo region after fires forced evacuations earlier this week, although emergency crews say the fires have not yet been fully contained.
Nearly 890 hectares have burned near Almorox, south of Madrid. Elsewhere, Spain’s largest wildfire of the year has scorched more than 35,000 hectares in the Guadalajara region, leaving widespread environmental damage.
Extreme heat has fueled wildfire activity across much of Europe this summer, with temperatures exceeding 42°C in parts of Spain.
Climate experts warn that rising temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the continent. A recent report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service identified Europe as the world’s fastest-warming continent, with record-breaking temperatures and wildfire damage recorded last year.
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