Thousands evacuated as wildfire rages in southwestern France

Key Points:

• Approximately 20,000 people were evacuated from towns and vacation resorts along the French Atlantic coast due to a large wildfire near Lège-Cap Ferret, which has spread over 31 square kilometers.
• Around 700 firefighters, including reinforcements from the Paris region, are battling the fire, which has come within 300 meters of homes, with water bombers deployed to contain it.
• Over 10,000 tourists and more than 1,000 residents have been moved to safety, with several municipalities opening reception centers for evacuees; the fire remains uncontrolled but contained north of Lège.
• Southern Europe is experiencing numerous wildfires this summer, exacerbated by climate change-driven heat waves and drought, with France reporting over 12,500 fires and nearly 44,000 hectares burned so far this year.
• Wildfires are also affecting other European countries, including Sicily—where a firefighter recently died—and Spain, where fires have disrupted high-speed train services amid extreme heat reaching up to 44°C (111°F).