Mass evacuations are continuing across France as wildfires spread rapidly, with a major blaze now threatening the city of Bordeaux. More than 250,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes as the country battles intense fires, exacerbated by a persistent heatwave gripping much of continental Europe. Authorities in Bordeaux are preparing to order a full evacuation of the city if the flames continue their relentless advance, currently reported to be just seven miles away.
French President Emmanuel Macron has convened emergency cabinet meetings to coordinate the national response. In a statement posted on his X account, President Macron expressed gratitude to the firefighters, military personnel, civil security forces, and other emergency services, highlighting the unity of the French people in the face of the crisis. He also extended thoughts to Spain, Italy, and Greece, which are also contending with severe wildfires, acknowledging the widespread impact across the continent.
The latest significant fires near Bordeaux follow a destructive week where wildfires ripped through France’s Cap Ferrat peninsula, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and holidaymakers. The current blazes are affecting multiple regions, including Gironde and Landes in the Southwest, Var and Hautes-Alpes in the South, and Pyrénées-Orientales in Occitanie. Thousands of hectares have been ravaged, homes destroyed, and daily life severely disrupted across these areas.
Bordeaux Airport has confirmed that operations are currently ongoing, though the hotel zone surrounding the airport has been evacuated until further notice as a precautionary measure. Temperatures in parts of France and Spain have soared towards 40°C, creating tinderbox conditions that are fuelling the intensity and spread of the fires. The Met Office has not issued any specific warnings for the UK relating to these continental fires, but the risk of domestic wildfires remains a concern.
The situation in France is being closely monitored by the UK government. Hamish Falconer, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, told Sky News that the UK is in contact with the Scottish government regarding support for wildfires in Scotland. He acknowledged the incredibly concerning scenes in Bordeaux and Spain, noting that the increasing ferocity of wildfires is viewed by the Spanish government as a consequence of man-made climate change, a warning the UK government takes very seriously.