Outskirts of Madrid burning in Spain, firefighters in France battle "fire whirlwinds"
In total, about 330,000 people have been evacuated.
Photo: Manu Fernandez / AP
Another 55,000 people have been evacuated from six settlements in France due to wildfires that continue to spread across the country. The latest evacuation affected towns south of Bordeaux, in the Gironde region, writes the BBC.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that the situation in the region remains "very unfavorable," and the fire is "moving chaotically towards Bordeaux."
Over the past week, wildfires have erupted in several European countries, primarily France and Spain, where a total of over 330,000 people have been evacuated.
The most difficult situation has developed in France. The fire has destroyed 42 thousand hectares of territory, making this one of the largest wildfires in the country since World War II.
In total, about 98,000 hectares have burned in France since the beginning of the year.
Captain Nicolas Braz, one of the leaders of the firefighting operation, stated that the fire created "its own winds – even whirlwinds," and called its behavior "unpredictable and uncontrollable."
Dry vegetation and strong winds are contributing to the spread of the fire. Due to the fire, a 60-kilometer stretch of the A63 highway, which leads to Spain, has been closed.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated in an interview with La Tribune, published on Sunday, that "it will take a long time" to localize the fire. Until the fire can be contained, evacuated residents and tourists will not be able to return.
France has deployed military personnel to combat the fires. Additional army units are helping firefighters clear vegetation and create firebreaks.
Dry vegetation and strong winds continue to contribute to the spread of the fire, as a result of which 60 km of the A63 motorway, connecting France with Spain, had to be closed.
On Sunday afternoon, all flights departing and arriving at Bordeaux airport showed delays starting from 17:15.
Bordeaux airport reported that air traffic control restrictions were introduced "to facilitate the work of emergency services" battling the fires, and this affected all commercial flights.
How long the delays will last is not yet known, the airport added.
President Emmanuel Macron stated that France "will restore everything," and the government will provide assistance "as long as necessary."
Meanwhile, fires continue to spread in Spain. Over 90,000 people have been evacuated from areas around Madrid and Ávila.
Late Saturday evening, authorities also ordered the evacuation of at least eight municipalities in the vicinity of Toledo, but the number of residents affected by the disaster is not yet known.
The head of the autonomous community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, called what is happening "the worst fire in the region's history."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that "difficult times" lie ahead.
On the night from Saturday to Sunday, a new fire broke out near the coastal city of Valencia.
The head of the Valencia region, Juanfran Pérez Llorka, stated: "The fire is beyond our capabilities." Valencia authorities confirmed the death of a man as a result of the fire.