Bangkok: Wildfires in France and Spain have led to the evacuation of over 300,000 people as severe blazes continue to spread across both countries. According to Thai News Agency, a prolonged heatwave combined with erratic winds has exacerbated the situation, resulting in one reported death in Spain.
In France, the southwestern provinces of Gironde and Landes have been particularly affected, with wildfires threatening the western suburbs of Bordeaux. Over 250,000 residents have been evacuated from several towns. The French government has responded by deploying more than 1,500 troops and employing large military aircraft to drop fire retardant chemicals for the first time. Additionally, 1.5 million face masks have been distributed to protect against smoke inhalation. Firefighters are facing challenges as the wildfires are generating their own winds and fire tornadoes, complicating control efforts. The Tour de France cycling race has been shortened to accommodate increased security personnel in the affected areas.
In Spain, wildfires around Madrid and vila province have merged into a massive, uncontrollable blaze, leading to the evacuation of over 88,000 people. The reported fatality involved a man in his 70s who perished in his car near Valencia. Evacuation orders have been issued in several municipalities near Toledo. NASA's Deep Space Station Madrid has evacuated its staff and relocated operations to California as the flames draw near.
The European Union has provided support by deploying 11 firefighting aircraft and helicopters to assist in controlling the fires in France and Spain. France has received additional resources, including water-dropping aircraft from Croatia and Portugal, Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and firefighting teams from Romania.
The wildfires have caused unprecedented damage, with Spain losing over 815,000 acres of land this year, significantly above the average of 625,000 acres. France has seen over 600,000 acres destroyed, a record amount for a single year. Climate experts, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), note that Europe is experiencing the fastest temperature increases globally, contributing to dry soil and vegetation that are easily ignited.