France and Spain Battle Unprecedented Wildfires Amidst Extreme Heat

Paris. Local administration has adopted high alert as the fierce wildfire spreading near the southwestern French city of Bordeaux has come within about 15 kilometers of the city. Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazeneuve said preparations are underway to accommodate a large number of people in safe places if more areas need to be evacuated.

French President Emmanuel Macron, inspecting the wildfire-affected area in the Gironde region, said the country is facing the most difficult and unprecedented wildfire since World War II. In Spain too, the wildfire west of the capital Madrid is out of control, causing a large number of people to be displaced in both countries. So far, about 220,000 people have been moved to safe places in France and more than 100,000 in Spain.