Firefighters are continuing to battle blazes in southwestern France, where huge fires are spreading rapidly due to strong winds and high temperatures, approaching the city of Bordeaux. Authorities have warned that the situation remains critical, with one official saying the flames are now "out of control."
According to authorities, more than 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in France and Spain, while in the French regions of Gironde and Landes alone, about 200,000 residents have been evacuated. Overnight, seven towns west of Bordeaux received immediate evacuation orders.
To cope with the situation, France has also engaged the army, which is helping firefighters clear bush areas and create protective belts to slow the spread of flames.
In Spain, where a state of emergency has been declared, a temporary improvement in weather conditions has helped emergency crews near Madrid. However, authorities in Valencia confirmed the first victim, a man in his 70s who was found dead inside his vehicle during operations to put out a fire in the Manises area.
Residents and tourists in Bordeaux describe a dramatic situation. A British couple said smoke and ash have blanketed the area, making the air difficult to breathe. Residents of Saint-Aubin-de-Medoc have also described the situation as a "catastrophe" as evacuations and efforts to bring the flames under control continue.
