Deadly wildfires across southern Europe force thousands to flee

LE PORGE: Wildfires driven by extreme heat and strong winds swept across parts of Italy, France and Spain on Thursday, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes and holiday accommodation as southern Europe faced another period of intense temperatures.

Satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows the total land burned this year in European Union countries is the second highest ever recorded. Temperatures rose above 40C in some areas, while three firefighters were reported killed in the latest blazes.

France evacuates thousands near Bordeaux

In southwestern France, a wildfire tore through a coastal pine forest near Bordeaux, prompting the evacuation of more than 20,000 people since Wednesday. Most of those moved were tourists staying in campsites and holiday rentals.

Resident Patrick Martineau, 69, described the hurried departure from Le Porge, south of Bordeaux.

“The gendarmes came and knocked on every door, the fire was about 500 metres away — we grabbed some things and left,” said Patrick Martineau, a 69-year-old resident of Le Porge, south of the French city of Bordeaux.

Authorities said no casualties had been reported in that fire, and one side of the blaze had been brought under control. But two firefighters died on Tuesday while battling another wildfire near Bordeaux airport.

Firefighter captain Wilfried Schneider said crews were dealing with tightly packed pine woodland and called the blaze unusually intense. Le Porge mayor Martial Zaninetti said the fire appeared to have started from a brush-clearing machine, although police were investigating the cause.

Smoke turned skies orange over Le Porge as helicopters repeatedly flew over evacuated districts. The same forest area suffered major fire damage in 2022, when 30,000 hectares were burned and around 50,000 people had to be evacuated.

Belgian tourist Elke Urbain, 50, said visitors were told to return from the beach to collect their belongings before leaving.

“We were on the beach and they told us to go back to the campsite to collect our things,” said Belgian tourist Elke Urbain, 50. “We’re not afraid because everyone is taking care of us, but we’re sad for the people here.”

Italy battles dozens of fires

In Sicily, about 6,000 firefighters, forest guards and civil protection personnel were trying to contain dozens of fires that had been burning for several days. Italy’s interior minister said one firefighter died after falling ill while fighting the flames.

A spokesperson for Italy’s Civil Protection Agency said the blazes were being intensified by weather and ground conditions.

"being fuelled by very high temperatures and very dry soil"

In Calabria, more than 160 fires were recorded. The region’s civil protection chief said arsonists had attached cloth soaked in flammable liquid to the tails of stray cats in order to spread the fires.

Spain sees some improvement

In Spain, emergency services said progress against a major wildfire south of Madrid allowed most residents to return home on Thursday. The fire broke out near Toledo and had led authorities to evacuate several districts as the flames moved toward residential areas.

Experts said fires were being driven by very high temperatures and dry conditions. Fires are breaking out more quickly because of climate change linked to the burning of oil, coal and gas. A study published on Thursday by climatologists from the World Weather Attribution group said droughts in Europe are now more severe.