Wildfire forces 55,000 more people to evacuate in southwest France
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- A massive wildfire in southwest France's Gironde region has forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight, with a total of 220,000 displaced in the area, as flames approach Bordeaux.
- The fire has consumed approximately 42,000 hectares (162 square miles), an area four times the size of Paris, fueled by dry conditions and heat waves.
- Firefighting efforts involve 2,500 personnel, 18 aircraft, military support including an A400M cargo plane, and international assistance, but shifting winds continue to challenge containment.
- Bordeaux has not been evacuated yet, but emergency shelters have been set up for evacuees, including vulnerable populations from care homes.
- Meanwhile, Spain is also experiencing wildfires, with 116,000 people evacuated in the Valencia region and a recent fire in Manises causing one death, adding to the country's recent wildfire fatalities.
