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Spain allows wildfire evacuees home as France battles spreading flames
🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Spain allows wildfire evacuees home as France battles spreading flames

From CNA · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Spanish residents evacuated due to severe wildfires are returning home as containment efforts progress, while France faces fears of spreading flames.
  • Thousands in France's southwest remain under evacuation orders due to a looming heatwave exacerbating fire risks.
  • The fires have destroyed homes and vast areas of forest in both countries, with Spain reporting some positive news on evacuations ending in certain municipalities.

Residents in Spain are beginning to return to their homes after fleeing some of the most devastating wildfires in recent memory. However, the situation remains critical, particularly in France, where thousands more have been ordered to evacuate due to fears that an approaching heatwave will hinder containment efforts.

It has been a horrendous fire, a brutal one - it's a monster that has run over us.

— Antonio SinMayor of Pelayos de la Presa, Spain, describing the devastation caused by the wildfire.

Massive swathes of dry forest and land have been consumed by flames west of Madrid in Spain and across France's Gironde and Landes regions. These fires have forced tens of thousands to seek safety. In a rare piece of good news, Spain's interior ministry announced the end of evacuation orders for 15 municipalities on Tuesday.

In Navas del Rey, Spain, returning residents found scenes of destruction, with blackened debris and burnt-out cars. Municipal authorities estimate around 50 homes were destroyed and another 50 damaged. Maria Paz Bolanos, 62, described finding her home miraculously spared, with the fire stopping just short of its walls. "It's a miracle," she said.

At first I thought my husband was joking, with the blue sky and the fires dying down.

— Marielle MourgeonA tourist in Lacanau, France, describing her initial disbelief at the evacuation order.

The mayor of nearby Pelayos de la Presa, Antonio Sin, described the scene as "a war zone," calling the fire "a monster that has run over us." Meanwhile, in France's Gironde area, Marielle Mourgeon was among 4,000 people who had their holidays cut short. Firefighters continue to battle the largest French wildfire since 1949, which has forced over 220,000 people to flee, destroyed 240 houses, and raised questions about emergency preparedness.

We pour 8,000 litres on an area and an hour later it starts up again.

— Pierre MarieA volunteer in southwestern France, describing the relentless nature of the wildfires.

While officials in Gironde reported that the main fire was "stabilised" and not advancing, 14 surrounding blazes had reignited. Volunteers are working tirelessly alongside firefighters, struggling to keep the flames contained. "We pour 8,000 liters on an area and an hour later it starts up again," said one volunteer, Pierre Marie, expressing the daily fear that accompanies their efforts.

It's a miracle.

— Maria Paz BolanosA resident of Navas del Rey, Spain, expressing relief after her home was spared from the wildfire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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