Wildfires in France and Spain have displaced more than 300,000 people, with firefighters struggling to control the blazes due to strong winds and high temperatures.
In southwestern France, the fire has spread towards the city of Bordeaux, with one official saying the fire is still not under control.
A state of emergency has been declared in Spain, where the fire has killed one person, a 70-year-old man, in the Valencia region. His body was found in a car in the Salt de l’Aigua area, where firefighters were trying to put out the flames.
In France, an additional 55,000 people were ordered to evacuate on Saturday night, bringing the total number of displaced people in the Gironde and Landes regions to around 250,000.
According to Captain Nicolas Bro of the fire department, the fire is creating its own weather system, including whirlwinds, making it difficult to control. He warned that the next night would also be challenging.
The French military has been deployed to help contain the fire, clearing vegetation, creating firebreaks, and supporting firefighters.
President Emmanuel Macron has promised to rebuild the affected areas and pledged the government’s support to the affected citizens. He held an emergency meeting with ministers as wildfires spread to around 30 locations across France.
The government has described the situation as an unprecedented wildfire crisis.
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