Europe wildfires: Many flee by boat as fires spread, merge

Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in France and Spain

Tens of thousands of people have fled wildfires in southwest France and Spain, with authorities in both countries struggling to contain blazes that have forced mass evacuations and prompted Spain to declare a national emergency.

In Spain, two fires converged near the capital, Madrid, and a third was on the verge of joining them, according to government officials. Madrid's regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso described it as "the worst wildfire in our region's history," telling reporters that the fires had merged. "It's the perfect storm of very high temperatures and ceaseless winds that aren't letting up," she said.

Spanish authorities declared a national emergency over the wildfires, the first ever issued over a wildfire in the country. The declaration opened up federal funding to tackle the crisis. More than 29 major fires have broken out in Spain so far this year, according to one report.

In France, authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a tourism hotspot on the Atlantic Coast. Over 60,000 people evacuated the area in and around Cap Ferret as the blaze consumed some 100 square kilometers of land. Authorities sent boats to help with the evacuation, with many residents and tourists using small water taxis. Some 1,500 of those who fled the peninsula arrived in the city of Arcachon by sea, where they were met with coffee, fruit and water in a reception area prepared by town officials.

The fire in France was described as an "XXL fire" by local prefect Sophie Brocas. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told local television that a fire that erupted in Saumos, north of Cap Ferret, was the largest so far this season in France. It was threatening to cut off the only road out of the peninsula.

"It's quite impressive and even frightening," the Associated Press quoted Laurent Moretti, a resident in the town of Ares, as saying. "An evacuation on this scale has never happened before. All we really hope is that the firefighters can quickly get it under control."

In the Gironde department, Nunez said 40,000 people have been evacuated, with 23,000 more in the Landes department. Overall, more than 140,000 people have been evacuated in France and Spain, according to one report.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the country will receive EU reinforcements to help put out the blaze, after calling for the neighbors' help. The European Union has deployed aircraft and helicopters to support firefighting efforts.

In Spain, local emergency services said wildfires were moving towards the municipalities of Robledo de Chavela and Fresnedillas de la Olivia, around 50km (31 miles) from the capital. Carlos Novillo, the Madrid regional government's emergency management chief, told reporters that the wildfire "is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain." He added, "It's not possible to attack the fire in that area, so defensive measures are being taken."

The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been deployed to try to halt the advance of the flames, with its main focus protecting areas near the town of El Escorial. Authorities are also monitoring a separate wildfire in nearby Ávila province, where officials fear the huge Burgohondo blaze could merge with the Madrid fire.

Evacuees described harrowing escapes. "I had to run from my house. There was a ball of fire. If I'd taken five more minutes, it would have wiped us out," evacuee Enrique Martin said in a shelter in Cebreros, west of Madrid.

In France, Yoan Urien, who left late on Thursday after police told everyone in his neighbourhood in the town of Biscarrosse to leave, said: "From our home, we had a view of the fires ... We could see the clouds becoming darker and darker." The 26-year-old added, "I was able to find somewhere to take shelter with my pets, but ... it's quite a shock."

Key Claims

• Wildfires in France and Spain forced tens of thousands to evacuate.
• French authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula.
• Spanish authorities declared a national emergency over the wildfires.
• Two fires converged near the capital, Madrid.
• Over 60,000 people evacuated the area in and around Cap Ferret.
• Authorities sent boats to help with the evacuation.
• The fire in France was described as an "XXL fire" by local prefect Sophie Brocas.
• The European Union has deployed aircraft and helicopters to support firefighting efforts.
• Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves, droughts and wildfires.
• More than 140,000 people were evacuated in France and Spain.
• Over 29 major fires have broken out in Spain so far this year.