Wildfires Ravage Southern France and Spain, Triggering Mass Evacuations
Tens of thousands have been evacuated as wildfires sweep across southern France and Spain, with authorities requesting emergency assistance from the European Union.
Evacuations in France
Pyrénées-Orientales Region
In the Pyrénées-Orientales region, a wildfire near Trévillach—close to Perpignan—prompted the evacuation of more than 10,000 people from over a dozen towns and villages. Local prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe reported that the fire had burned at least 4,600 hectares (11,366 acres).
Authorities warned that strong winds could worsen the situation. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated on TF1: "This morning conditions are deteriorating again. Today the battle resumes."
Southwestern France
A separate series of fires in southwestern France led to further large-scale evacuations:
- Approximately 40,000 people were evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula, a tourism destination, on Friday. Evacuations were conducted by both road and boat.
- An additional 23,000 people were evacuated from the Landes region, where a fire near Biscarrosse burned 2,500 hectares.
The fire near Cap Ferret began on Wednesday near the village of Saumos and spread toward Lege-Cap-Ferret, burning 3,400 hectares (8,500 acres). Three houses were damaged and a caravan destroyed; no casualties were reported in this incident.
A separate fire in the Arcachon Bay area has burned a total of 8,700 hectares, with 700 firefighters deployed. Two firefighters died near Bordeaux airport in a separate incident.
Evacuations in Spain
In Spain, the government declared a national emergency for the first time due to a wildfire. The fire near Madrid forced the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people. Regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso stated that at least 19,000 people had been evacuated or ordered to stay indoors, and the fire had scorched approximately 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres).
International Assistance
French President Emmanuel Macron requested assistance from the European Union. France expects reinforcements including:
- Two Croatian Canadair firefighting aircraft
- Two Portuguese Air Tractor aircraft
- Two Czech and Slovak Black Hawk helicopters
Spain's Interior Minister stated that Italy and Greece are each sending two Canadair water-dumping airplanes.
Impact on Tour de France
The third stage of the Tour de France, running from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles in Pyrénées-Orientales, passes through the area affected by the Trévillach fire. Organizers urged spectators to avoid the final 40 km of the stage on Monday.
Race director Christian Prudhomme said: "An exceptional fire calls for exceptional measures for the Tour. We invite the public not to come to the edge of the race or to the finish site." The motorcade of team vehicles will be kept to a minimum.
Eyewitness Account
"It came within 300 metres of the houses. We were shocked by how fast it spread, it was staggering – bordering on panic."
— Patrice, a resident of Trévillach, speaking to AFP
Heatwave Context
France has experienced three heatwaves since May, contributing to dry conditions and wildfires. The French public health agency estimated 5,764 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2.
The Reuters Climate Monitor reported the Western European average high on July 23 was 2.9°C above the 1961-1990 normal.
In 2022, wildfires damaged 30,000 hectares of forest in France and forced approximately 50,000 evacuations. Three heatwaves across Europe in the current year have intensified drought and contributed to wildfires scorching more land than the annual average of the past two decades.
Other Incidents in Italy
In Italy, a 59-year-old firefighter died in Sicily. Authorities in Calabria reported that arsonists allegedly used cats with burning rags to start fires.