Nearly 4,000 people are being evacuated from tourist sites on France's Atlantic coast as the return of extreme heat and winds jeopardises firefighters' attempts to contain wildfires burning in France and Spain, according to the Guardian.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- Almost 4,000 people are being evacuated from tourist sites near Lacanau, west of Bordeaux.
- The precautionary evacuation covers campsites, holiday villages and other tourist accommodation.
- Returning winds and extreme heat are threatening efforts to contain the blazes.
- President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as the 'toughest' France has faced since the second world war.
- Wildfires are also raging in Spain, according to the Guardian.
The evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from tourist sites on France’s Atlantic coast is under way as the return of winds and extreme heat jeopardises firefighters’ battles to contain wildfires raging to the west of Bordeaux, according to the Guardian.
The precautionary evacuation order covers campsites, holiday villages and other tourist accommodation around the resort of Lacanau, the Guardian reported.
French president Emmanuel Macron described the wildfire emergency as the ‘toughest’ situation the country had dealt with since the second world war, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian reported that wildfires are also raging in Spain, as both countries contend with a combination of extreme heat and wind.
The return of winds and high temperatures has jeopardised firefighters’ efforts to bring the blazes under control, according to the Guardian.
Why it matters
Wildfires in popular tourist regions during peak summer put holidaymakers and residents at risk and strain emergency services in France and Spain. The emergency, described by France's president as the toughest since the second world war, reflects the pressure extreme heat is placing on parts of Europe.
Frequently asked questions
How many people are being evacuated near Bordeaux?
Nearly 4,000 people are being evacuated from tourist sites on France's Atlantic coast, according to the Guardian.
Which area is affected by the evacuation order?
The precautionary evacuation covers campsites, holiday villages and other tourist accommodation around the resort of Lacanau, to the west of Bordeaux.
Why are the wildfires so hard to contain?
The return of winds and extreme heat is jeopardising firefighters' efforts to bring the blazes under control in both France and Spain.
Timeline
- Almost 4,000 people evacuated from tourist sites near Bordeaux as wildfires rage in France and Spain
The Guardian World: Return of winds and extreme heat threaten firefighters’ attempts to bring blazes under control Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated from tourist sites on France’s Atlantic coast as the return of winds and extreme heat jeopardises firefighters’ battles to contain wildfires ragi
- New evacuation from tourist sites near Bordeaux as France and Spain fight wildfires
The Guardian World: French authorities order evacuation of almost 4,000 people from Lacanau resort amid return of heatwave Europe live – latest updates The evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from tourist sites on France’s Atlantic coast is under way as the return of winds and extreme heat jeopardised