PARIS: Massive wildfires fuelled by an intense heatwave have swept through southwestern France, forcing around 150,000 people to evacuate and prompting authorities to order the complete evacuation of the popular tourist destination of Cap Ferret.
According to French authorities, the fires have burned through approximately 47,000 acres of forest, causing extensive environmental damage and destroying or damaging more than 100 homes.
In response to the escalating emergency, French President Emmanuel Macron directed the military to assist firefighting operations, as emergency crews continue efforts to contain the rapidly spreading blazes.
The extreme weather has also affected neighbouring Spain, where a major wildfire near Madrid has led to the country’s first-ever national state of emergency for a wildfire.
Media reports said that more than 43 homes have been destroyed in Spain, while authorities ordered the evacuation of approximately 19,000 residents from mountainous areas west of Madrid.
Around 2,000 emergency personnel and 10 firefighting aircraft have been deployed to battle the flames as strong winds and high temperatures continue to hamper containment efforts.
The latest wildfires come amid an exceptionally severe heatwave that has affected large parts of Western Europe.
According to France’s National Public Health Agency, the country recorded 5,764 excess deaths between 17 June and 2 July, representing a 36 percent increase over the expected mortality rate for the period.
The agency reported that 21,674 people died from various causes during the two-week period, compared with an expected figure of approximately 15,910 deaths under normal conditions.
Officials have linked the surge in mortality to the prolonged spell of extreme heat, which has placed vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, at increased risk.
Authorities in both France and Spain continue to monitor the wildfire situation closely, with emergency services urging residents in affected areas to comply with evacuation orders and follow official safety instructions as firefighting operations remain underway.
About The Author
