French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular tourist destination in southwestern France, as wildfires rage in the Gironde region. Hundreds of residents and tourists were escaping the area by boat on Friday.
The fire, which originated in Saumos on Tuesday, has consumed approximately 8,700 hectares (21,500 acres) and continued to spread overnight, according to officials.
Sophie Brocas, the prefect of the region, announced the "final phase" of the evacuation early Friday. Residents were instructed to leave via the main road towards Bordeaux, while boats were provided for others to depart from four piers between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM local time.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the wildfire situation as "very tense," particularly in the Gironde region. He stated that France has requested assistance from the European Union and will soon receive support from aircraft in Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Two firefighters died on Tuesday while battling the blaze near Bordeaux's airport. As of Friday morning, no new injuries had been reported.
In Spain, the government declared a national emergency due to uncontrolled wildfires near the capital, Madrid. Fires are burning in several areas, including Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Madrid region, and at Burgohondo in Ávila.