France orders evacuation of Cap Ferret peninsula as hundreds flee wildfires

Authorities in France have ordered the evacuation of the entirety of the Cap Ferret peninsula (Lège-Cap Ferret) in the south-west of France, with hundreds of people escaping the area by boat.

The tourism hot spot is being evacuated as firefighters continue to battle a wildfire that has raged in the Gironde region for days.

The fire, which began on Tuesday in Saumos, continued its progression overnight with 8,700 hectares (around 21,500 acres) consumed by the flames.

Meanwhile, the government in Spain has declared a national emergency as wildfires burn out of control in several areas close to the capital Madrid.

Two firefighters died on Tuesday while tackling the blaze near Bordeaux’s airport with officials saying on Friday morning that no new injuries had been reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday night the wildfire situation in the country is “very tense” – referencing the Gironde region in particular.

Macron said he requested help from the European Union, adding the country will soon be supported by aircraft from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The region’s prefect, Sophie Brocas, ordered the “final phase” of the evacuation early on Friday morning.

People are being told to leave via the main road from the area towards Bordeaux while boats were being made available for others between 07:00 and 10:00 local time (06:00 BST and 09:00 BST) from four piers.

In Spain, firefighters are tackling wildfires in several areas not far from Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a national emergency as fires burned at Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias in the Madrid region and at Burgohondo in Ávila.