Evacuations ordered in Bordeaux suburbs as wildfires continue to ravage southern Europe

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ABONE OL

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French authorities have announced evacuation orders for three suburbs of the city of Bordeaux in southwestern France, as wildfires continue to devastate southern Europe.

Residents of Le Haillan, Eysines, and Mérignac have been told to leave the area immediately via planned evacuation routes.

An “unprecedented” wildfire had burned through around 19,000 hectares in the Gironde department as of Friday evening. More than 141,000 people have been evacuated in Gironde and the neighbouring department of Landes.

The blaze began in the town of Saumos on Tuesday before moving towards the areas of Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret. It has since spread east towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area, where smoke is visible from the fires raging in the Arcachon Basin.

Bordeaux has opened the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre to accommodate evacuees.

Two firefighters died while tackling flames in Mérignac on Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the pair in a post on social media.

“I extend the nation’s condolences, gratitude and support to their families, their loved ones and the firefighters of France,” he wrote.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on Saturday that the fires blazing across France have burnt around 98,000 hectares so far, calling it a “historic record.”

France has requested assistance to tackle the fires through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. The bloc said on Friday that planes and helicopters from Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia would be sent to provide help.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has announced that Sweden was also sending firefighting aircraft to assist as part of the programme.

People watch massive plumes of smoke caused by wildfires in Le Porge, western France, Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Spain

In Spain, fires are continuing to rage in the Madrid area and in the province of Ávila, with tens of thousands forced to flee their homes.

The Spanish government has declared a national emergency over fires threatening communities in the regions, where more than 60,000 people have reportedly been evacuated.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, said on Friday that the blaze affecting the area was “the worst” in local history.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the priority now was to “safeguard lives, protect communities and fight the fires.”

All levels of government are working together to coordinate resources to provide an effective response and help evacuees, he said, adding that affected areas would also receive governmental support during the recovery process.

Spain’s Civil Guard has mobilised 650 officers, 60 vehicles, and two helicopters as part of efforts to help with evacuations.

According to EU figures, 1,254 fires have burned through around 254,388 hectares in Europe since the beginning of the year.