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Macron holds crisis meeting as wildfires rage in France
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting as wildfires in southwest France forced over 250,000 people to evacuate, with the largest blaze in Gironde showing signs of stabilization after burning an area four times the size of Paris.
- Firefighters in Gironde and the neighboring Landes region are battling the fires with international support, racing against a forecasted heat wave that could worsen conditions, while authorities have banned holiday camps to keep tourists away during peak season.
- Spain is also facing unprecedented wildfires, with over 100,000 hectares burned and tens of thousands evacuated, including the country's largest recorded fire near Madrid, prompting calls from leaders for stronger climate change action.
- In Italy’s Puglia region, a wildfire forced the evacuation of around 300 tourists, with water-dropping planes and ground crews working to contain the fire reminiscent of devastating 2007 blazes.
- The widespread fires across France, Spain, and Italy highlight the increasing severity of wildfires linked to climate change and heat waves, causing massive displacement and destruction in affected communities.
