Wildfires approach Bordeaux suburbs, prompting mass evacuations in France and Spain

Wildfires are threatening the historic city of Bordeaux, France, as flames approach its suburbs. The fires, which have ravaged large parts of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular Atlantic coast tourist destination, are spreading in areas around Bordeaux. Firefighters are working intensely to prevent the fire from entering the city.

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The fire is about 15 kilometers from the city entrances.

"The fire is about 15 kilometers from the city entrances," said Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazeneuve. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the situation as "particularly difficult." Videos show police going door-to-door in the night to evacuate residents from the municipalities of Martillac and Sestac.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited fire-affected areas in the province of Ávila, one of three central provinces battling major fires. Over 45,000 hectares of land have already burned. A new large fire in the eastern province of Castellón has destroyed over 4,300 hectares. Regional official Juanfran Pérez stated the fire is "out of control and extremely difficult to extinguish, mainly due to adverse weather conditions expected to continue."

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the situation remains particularly difficult.

Scientists attribute the escalating fires to climate change, exacerbated by prolonged drought and successive heatwaves. July temperatures in Bordeaux and Ávila were nearly six degrees Celsius higher than the 1961-1990 average, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor. European countries are providing assistance, with Greece and Italy sending Canadair aircraft to Spain, and Portugal deploying over 100 military personnel and specialized equipment.

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The fire is out of control and its extinguishing is extremely difficult, mainly due to adverse weather conditions that are expected to continue.