At least one person is dead and more than 265,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires continue to burn through thousands of hectares across France and Spain, officials from both countries confirmed.
According to a report by ABC News, a 78-year-old man died in the Spanish town of Manises, northwest of Valencia. He had reduced mobility and was caught in the blaze near his orchard, local fire officials said. The fire in that area is now under control, and the town has declared two days of official mourning. Firefighters remain on site and have treated several people for smoke inhalation and burns.
In southwest France, 198,000 people have been evacuated across the Gironde, Landes, Var, and Tarn regions, with the largest share coming from Gironde, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. An additional 8,000 people were evacuated near Bordeaux, according to the city's fire department.
The main Gironde fire has burned through 32,700 hectares, roughly three times the size of Paris. It has destroyed 140 houses and injured at least 54 firefighters, nine of whom were evacuated. All injuries among rescue personnel were non-life-threatening.
The fire is now 30 kilometers from Bordeaux. Prefect Sophie Brocas said the flames are approaching the city again after wind changed direction at midday. She described the situation as still serious and dangerous, even if the fire has lost some intensity due to cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Officials said they are preparing for all scenarios, including a possible evacuation of parts of Bordeaux itself.
Nunez called the fires unprecedented, describing them as worse than a major fire in 2022. Nearly 98,000 hectares have burned across France so far this year, a historic record.
In central Spain, about 60,000 people have been evacuated from Madrid and Avila, while nearly 88,000 others have been confined to those areas, according to the Spanish Ministry of Interior. Fires near Madrid advanced little overnight.
The final stage of the Tour de France on Sunday was shortened so that security forces could be freed up and deployed to help fight the fires in the southwest.
France is expected to face its fourth heatwave of the season starting Tuesday, with temperatures forecast between 93 and 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities said conditions could worsen again Saturday afternoon as wind direction is expected to shift, and officials stated they are preparing for every possible outcome.
