France orders evacuation of peninsula as hundreds flee wildfires by boat
BBC News 2026-07-24 07:07:24
Context: In south-west France, authorities have ordered the evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular tourism spot, as wildfires continue to rage in the Gironde region. Hundreds of people have escaped the area by boat, with firefighters battling the flames that have consumed 8,700 hectares of land. The situation remains critical, with French President Emmanuel Macron requesting help from the European Union.
Key Facts
- The wildfire in the Gironde region began on Tuesday in Saumos and has consumed 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres) of land as of the latest reports.
- Two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling the blaze near Bordeaux's airport, with no new injuries reported as of Friday morning.
- French President Emmanuel Macron requested help from the European Union, with aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia set to provide support.
- The prefect of the region, Sophie Brocas, ordered the "final phase" of the evacuation early on Friday morning, with people being told to leave via the main road or by boat from four designated piers.
- In neighbouring Spain, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a national emergency as wildfires burned in several areas close to Madrid, including Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, and Burgohondo in Ávila.