Wildfires Force Over 200,000 People to Flee in Spain, France

Out of control wildfires have forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate their homes in Spain and France as firefighters continue to battle rapidly spreading blazes worsened by extreme heat and dry conditions.

In France, at least 167,000 people have been evacuated from fire affected areas, while more than 45,000 people have fled their homes in Spain and another 20,000 have been advised to remain indoors.

The fires, which have raged for several days, have destroyed nearly 98,000 hectares of land in France, described by authorities as a historic record. Two firefighters have reportedly died while battling the blazes near Bordeaux.

French President Emmanuel Macron has deployed about 1,000 soldiers to support firefighting operations near Bordeaux, while an A400M military aircraft capable of dropping up to 20 tonnes of fire retardant has also been deployed.

Emergency shelters have been opened in schools, gymnasiums and other public facilities to accommodate residents and tourists forced to flee the affected areas.

In Spain, wildfires west of Madrid have burned up to 25,000 hectares, with two major fires reportedly merging and threatening to form a massive inferno close to the capital.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who visited the affected area, said the priority was to save lives as authorities continued efforts to contain the fires.

Officials said extreme heat, prolonged drought and erratic winds have made the firefighting operation increasingly difficult. The fires come after successive heatwaves across both countries.

Scientists have warned that climate change is worsening drought conditions and making extreme weather events, including wildfires, more frequent and severe across Europe.

Authorities in both countries, with support from the European Union and neighbouring nations, are continuing emergency operations as firefighters work to contain the fires and protect communities still at risk.