Wildfires have forced the evacuation of the Cap Ferret resort on France’s Atlantic coast, as tens of thousands were ordered to safety across southwestern France and Spain. Madrid declared a national emergency as flames spread rapidly through tinder-dry forests.
The blaze, which erupted along the Atlantic coast, prompted French authorities to order the immediate evacuation of the upscale Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular summer destination known for its pine forests and oyster farms. Helicopters and water-bombing aircraft have been deployed to contain the flames, but high winds and drought conditions have hampered efforts.
“Tens of thousands ordered to safety in France and Spain after wildfires force evacuation of Cap Ferret resort.”
Spain mobilised military emergency units after fires threatened several towns in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the government was “mobilising all available resources” to protect lives and property. Tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes and holiday accommodation, with emergency shelters set up in sports halls and civic centres.
The scale of the evacuations — one of the largest in recent years in either country — has overwhelmed local services. In France, the entire population of the Cap Ferret resort was told to leave immediately as flames approached within kilometres of the coastline. Spanish officials reported multiple fires burning out of control, with some advancing towards residential areas.
While the immediate cause of the fires is under investigation, the extreme heatwave gripping southern Europe has created ideal conditions for fast-moving wildfires. Meteorologists have warned that the region faces an increasingly severe fire season driven by climate change.