Wildfires raging in the south-west region of France have consumed 42,000 hectares of land and are now encroaching on Bordeaux, expanding into the metropolitan area, according to live tracking reports. While there are no current plans to evacuate the city’s 850,000 residents, over 250,000 individuals have been evacuated from the Gironde department, where the fire, which began last Wednesday, has charred an area four times larger than Paris.
Jérôme Steffe, the mayor of Cestas, a suburb adjacent to Bordeaux, described the fire as unprecedented in size. Captain Wilfried Schneider of SDIS 33, the Gironde Fire and Rescue Service, mentioned that although weather conditions have become more favorable with reduced wind, active fires persist. The most intense fire is situated between Marcheprime and Pierroton on the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
A British resident, Rachel Hanberry, residing in Biscarrosse-Plage near Bordeaux, likened the ongoing wildfires to a warzone, expressing the distress and chaos experienced by the community. In Spain, wildfires near Madrid have slowed overnight, as reported by the Madrid regional government, urging residents to exercise extreme caution. Approximately 15,000 individuals have been evacuated from Valencia, with over 90,000 fleeing areas around Madrid and Ávila.
Amid the wildfire crisis, British tourists are advised to stay informed and check for any travel disruptions if planning to visit affected areas in France and Spain. ABTA, the travel agency industry body, recommends travelers to stay in touch with their travel providers, monitor local news, follow guidance from authorities and accommodations, and check the Foreign Office travel advice for updates on France and Spain.
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