Spain declares state of emergency, France seeks EU aid as wildfires rage

Spain and France battle devastating wildfires

Scorching temperatures and strong winds fanned wildfires across parts of Western Europe on Friday, prompting a state of emergency in Spain's Madrid region and France to call for EU help. French authorities ordered thousands of tourists on the southwestern Atlantic coast to evacuate campsites and holiday homes as firefighters, backed by water-bombing aircraft, raced to contain the blazes.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that France had activated the EU's civil protection mechanism, warning the crisis remained "very intense." According to satellite data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the total area burned in EU countries this year is the second largest on record. Three firefighters have died as southern Europe endures extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in some areas.

Situation in France and Italy

In the Bordeaux region, more than 20,000 people—mostly tourists in campsites and holiday rentals—have been evacuated since Wednesday as a fire ravaged a coastal pine forest. Authorities said the fire was contained on its northern flank but not yet fully under control in the south. Firefighters are now battling "house by house" to protect the tourist hub of Lège-Cap-Ferret, said regional wildfire chief Marc Vermeulen.

France's southeast is also severely affected, with dozens of fires fanned by the mistral wind near the historic village of Cotignac. About 25 houses have been destroyed since Tuesday. Two firefighters died on Tuesday fighting another blaze near Bordeaux Airport.

In Italy, thousands of emergency workers are battling numerous fires in Sicily and Calabria. A local official claimed arsonists tied rags soaked in flammable liquid to stray cats' tails to spread flames. One firefighter in Sicily died after falling ill while battling the flames.

Spain's situation

Spain declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region, where more than 10,000 people have been evacuated in recent days. Emergency services sent alert messages to residents of Aldea del Fresno ordering them to leave. Eighteen specialist firefighting units are working to contain the blaze. Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters and troops are struggling to contain a larger wildfire in Guadalajara province.

Civil protection chief Virginia Barcones said climate change is killing and destroying villages and natural heritage. She warned that some fires become so intense that firefighters stand "no chance" even with aircraft and ground crews.