Wildfires fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions swept across parts of France and Spain, prompting large scale evacuations. NPR reported: "The devastating wildfires in Spain and France have forced more than 300,000 people to evacuate their homes."1
In southwestern France, officials moved residents and visitors out of affected areas, including a full evacuation order for one peninsula. BBC News reported: "Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from the south-west of France as the country battles ongoing wildfires days after two firefighters died near Bordeaux airport, French media reported."2 The Guardian headlined it "France orders total evacuation of Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfire spreads".
Reports also described tens of thousands evacuated from areas near a major French tourist destination as well as locations near the Spanish capital, where crews worked to keep separate blazes from merging. BBC News headlined it "Tens of thousands evacuated from French tourist spot and near Madrid as wildfires spread". The Guardian headlined it "France evacuates Cap Ferret peninsula as Spain battles to prevent wildfires merging near Madrid – Europe live".
One report put the number of people forced from their homes in the tens of thousands amid the historic heat. Breitbart headlined it "WATCH: Wildfires Force Evacuation of 60,000+ Europeans in Wake of Historic Heat Wave".
The fires followed the deaths of two firefighters near an airport outside Bordeaux, according to French media cited in reporting. BBC News reported: "Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from the south-west of France as the country battles ongoing wildfires days after two firefighters died near Bordeaux airport, French media reported."2
Reporting also noted unusual fire behavior, including a phenomenon that had not previously been documented in France before this month's fires.
Scientists examining the conditions behind the blazes found that human caused climate change made the hot, dry weather that fueled the fires substantially more likely, with the increased likelihood far greater in central Spain than in France. Grist reported: "Human-induced climate change made the likelihood of fire-prone conditions in France at least twice as likely, and at least 20 times as likely in central Spain."3
Additional reporting looked at what intensified the fires in both countries.
Amid the emergency response, thousands remained evacuated in France as firefighting efforts continued.
