More than 267,000 people have been evacuated as massive wildfires continue to ravage parts of France and Spain, destroying homes, forcing thousands into emergency shelters and prompting military intervention.
French authorities evacuated about 197,000 people from areas around Bordeaux, describing it as what could be the country’s largest peacetime evacuation.
In Spain, about 70,000 residents fled communities west of Madrid as firefighters battled fast-moving flames.
Although officials in both countries reported that cooler temperatures had reduced the intensity of some fires, emergency responders warned that strong and unpredictable winds could still worsen the situation.
France has deployed 1,000 soldiers and military aircraft to support firefighting operations.
The wildfires have so far burned nearly 98,000 hectares in France and about 25,000 hectares in Spain.
While no civilian deaths have been reported, two French firefighters were killed earlier this week during rescue operations.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across Europe to climate change, with prolonged heatwaves and severe drought creating conditions that allow fires to spread rapidly.
Both France and Spain are receiving firefighting assistance from other European Union countries.
