Wildfires are engulfing parts of southwestern France, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and destroying luxury homes and thousands of hectares of forest. The "monster" fires, described as "XXL" by local officials, began on Tuesday in Saumos, Gironde, and have spread rapidly, consuming vast areas and threatening popular tourist destinations like the Cap Ferret peninsula, often referred to as the "French Hamptons."
French President Emmanuel Macron has requested urgent assistance from the European Union, announcing that reinforcements from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are en route. These will include Canadair aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters to aid in combating the blazes.
Sophie Brocas, the prefect for the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, ordered the final phase of evacuation for the Cap Ferret peninsula early Friday morning. Residents and tourists were advised to leave via the main D106 road towards Bordeaux, while boats were also made available. The peninsula, which can see its population swell tenfold in the summer, is home to numerous high-value properties frequented by wealthy Parisians and Bordelais.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 80 homes have been affected by the fires, with approximately 50 completely destroyed. The fires have consumed an estimated 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres) in the Gironde region alone. One firefighter was injured when a gas cylinder exploded in a burning house.
David Morton, a tourist from Gloucester, described the scene as "enormous" and "apocalyptic" as he joined a long queue of vehicles fleeing the area. "You could see the whole forest was on fire and that really brought it home what a major fire it was," he told the BBC.
In addition to the fires around Cap Ferret, another significant blaze erupted on Thursday afternoon near Biscarrosse in the Landes region, prompting the evacuation of over 23,000 people. Homes, campsites, a nursing home, and a summer camp were affected. Minister Nuñez described the Biscarrosse fire as "difficult to control," with around 100 homes burned or damaged. Approximately 550 firefighters, supported by water bombers and bulldozers, are working to contain this fire.
France's southeastern regions have also been hard-hit, with numerous fires fanned by the Mistral wind, particularly around the village of Cotignac, where about 25 houses were destroyed. Two firefighters died earlier in the week battling another blaze near Bordeaux airport.
The extreme weather conditions are exacerbated by a series of heatwaves across Europe, which have intensified drought, strained water supplies, and left vegetation tinder-dry. This has contributed to the second-largest area of land burned in EU countries on record this year, according to satellite data.
Similar devastating fires are occurring in neighboring countries. In Spain, a state of emergency has been declared in the Madrid region, with over 10,000 people evacuated. Hundreds of firefighters and troops are battling a large wildfire in Guadalajara province, north of Madrid. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the situation across Spain and neighboring countries as "dramatic."
In Italy, scores of fires have erupted in Sicily and Calabria. Officials in Calabria are investigating suspected arson, with reports of individuals using flammable liquids and delayed ignition devices, and even tying flammable materials to stray cats to spread the flames. One firefighter died after falling ill while battling fires in Sicily.