France has evacuated the Cap Ferret peninsula using hundreds of boats and its only mainland road, as wildfires also force evacuations near the Spanish capital Madrid.
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Key facts
- Evacuees on France's Cap Ferret peninsula are leaving via hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road linking the area to the mainland.
- Evacuations have also been ordered in areas near the Spanish capital, Madrid, where wildfires have merged.
- France's south-east is also affected, with fires around the historic village of Cotignac fanned by the mistral wind.
- Officials say around 25 houses have been destroyed since Tuesday in the Cotignac area.
- Coverage was reported by the Guardian, citing AFP.
France has evacuated the Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires spread across the region, with residents and visitors told to leave using hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road linking the area to the mainland, according to the Guardian.
The emergency is not confined to France’s south-west. The Guardian, citing AFP, reported that the country’s south-east regions were also being hard hit, with dozens of fires flaring up around the historic village of Cotignac.
Those fires are being fanned by the mistral wind, a strong regional wind that can rapidly accelerate the spread of flames. Officials said around 25 houses had been destroyed in the Cotignac area since Tuesday.
In Spain, authorities were battling wildfires near the capital, Madrid, where blazes had merged. Evacuations were ordered in areas near the Spanish capital as crews worked to bring the situation under control.
The dual crises across France and Spain reflect the pressure on emergency services as multiple fires burn simultaneously in different parts of the two countries, with the Guardian tracking developments through its live coverage.
The reliance on boats and a single access road to evacuate the Cap Ferret peninsula underscores the logistical challenges facing responders in coastal and remote areas during fast-moving wildfire emergencies.
Why it matters
Wildfires in France and Spain are forcing large-scale evacuations and destroying homes, disrupting the lives of residents and visitors during peak summer. The events highlight the growing strain on European emergency services as multiple blazes burn at once.
Frequently asked questions
How are people being evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula?
According to the Guardian, evacuees are being told to leave using hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road that links the area to the mainland.
How many homes have been destroyed in France's south-east?
Officials said around 25 houses had been destroyed since Tuesday in the area around the historic village of Cotignac, the Guardian reported, citing AFP.
What is happening near Madrid?
Wildfires have merged near the Spanish capital, and evacuations have been ordered in areas near Madrid as authorities work to contain the blazes.
Timeline
- France evacuates Cap Ferret peninsula as Spanish wildfires merge near Madrid – as it happened
The Guardian World: French evacuees using hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road linking the area with the mainland as evacuation also ordered in areas near Spanish capital Over in France, it’s not just the south-west that gets affected, but the country’s south-east regions are also being hard
- France evacuates Cap Ferret peninsula as Spanish wildfires merge near Madrid – Europe live
The Guardian World: French evacuees using hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road linking the area with the mainland as evacuation also ordered in areas near Spanish capital Over in France, it’s not just the south-west that gets affected, but the country’s south-east regions are also being hard
- France evacuates Cap Ferret peninsula as Spain battles to prevent wildfires merging near Madrid – Europe live
The Guardian World: Evacuees have been told to leave using hundreds of mobilised boats or the only road linking the area with the mainland Over in France, it’s not just the south-west that gets affected, but the country’s south-east regions are also being hard hit, AFP noted. Dozens of fires flared