France orders full evacuation of Cap Ferret as wildfires intensify

French authorities have ordered the full evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula in the Gironde region as wildfires continue to burn. Hundreds of people escaped by boat while others left via road, following the consumption of 8,700 hectares of land. President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as "very tense" and requested aircraft support from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Separately, Spain has declared a national emergency as out-of-control fires burn near Madrid, prompting evacuations in several areas.

The fire, which began on Tuesday in Saumos, has consumed approximately 8,700 hectares, with around 80 houses burnt. Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas ordered the "final phase" of the Cap Ferret evacuation early on Friday morning. Boats were made available for evacuees between 07:00 and 10:00 local time from four piers, while others were instructed to leave via the main D106 road towards Bordeaux. Around 20,000 people in the Gironde region had been evacuated by Thursday, many of whom were visitors to campsites.

Further evacuations took place from La Porge on Thursday night, which Ms Brocas said had taken place "calmly". She added that homes in evacuated areas would be monitored to prevent any vandalism. Significant resources remain on the ground tackling the blaze, with additional ground and air reinforcements due in the coming hours. The public has been told not to go to the affected areas.

Down the Atlantic coast, around the town of Biscarosse in France's Landes region, another "major" fire that began on Thursday afternoon has prompted the evacuations of more than 23,000 people. About 18,000 people in Biscarrosse and 5,000 in Parentis-en-Born had to leave their homes, campsites, a nursing home and a summer camp. An update from the region on Friday morning said the centre of Biscarrosse was currently being evacuated.

No further casualties have been reported overnight in south-west France, although two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling a blaze near Bordeaux airport. In Spain, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a national emergency for fires in Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias (Madrid region), and Burgohondo (Ávila). An update on Friday morning described both fires as "out of control" although their progression in recent hours had been "limited". Aldea del Fresno and some other areas in the region have been evacuated.