In brief
In mid‑July, French authorities shut down the popular Cap Ferret peninsula as a wildfire that began in Saumos spreads across Gironde. Hundreds escaped by boat and road, with no casualties yet after two firefighters died near Bordeaux. Simultaneously, Spain declared a national emergency as fires threatened Madrid and neighbouring areas. European support is arriving, including aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, Czech Republic and Slovakia, while local reinforcements continue to battle the blaze. The disaster highlights the growing threat of summer fires across Western Europe.
French authorities ordered the evacuation of the entire Cap Ferret peninsula on 24 July, as a rapidly spreading wildfire threatened the popular tourist destination. Hundreds of visitors were guided to safety by boat while others were directed to leave via the main D106 road toward Bordeaux.
The blaze, which first ignited in the town of Saumos on Tuesday, had already consumed 8,700 hectares (about 21,500 acres) by the night of the evacuation. Firefighters are continuing to battle the flames near the Bordeaux airport, where two personnel lost their lives on Tuesday. No additional casualties have been reported overnight in the southwest region.
Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national emergency after fires in several areas close to Madrid went out of control. The Spanish Interior Minister, Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, stated that fires at Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Madrid region and at Burgohondo in Ávila were “out of control,” though progress had recently been limited.
In the French Landes region, a separate major fire that started on Thursday prompted the evacuation of more than 23,000 people. Roughly 18,000 residents of Biscarrosse and 5,000 in neighboring Parentis‑en‑Born were displaced from campsites, a summer camp and a nursing home. As of Friday morning, the centre of Biscarrosse was still under evacuation orders.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the fire situation in Gironde as “very tense” and requested European assistance. The European Union is expected to provide aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to support firefighting operations.
The prefect of Gironde, Sophie Brocas, signalled the “final phase” of evacuation early on Friday. Residents were directed to leave by road, while boat services were available between 07:00 and 10:00 local time (06:00 and 09:00 BST) from four piers. An additional evacuation took place from La Porge on Thursday night, conducted calmly according to Brocas.
Authorities emphasised that homes in evacuated areas would be monitored to prevent vandalism, and that significant resources remain on the ground to tackle the blaze while further ground and air reinforcements are due in the coming hours.
The public has been advised not to go to the affected areas. For those in the region, emergency services have provided contact links for assistance.
