Postpone Travel to France and Spain: Over 230,000 Evacuated as Worst-Ever Wildfires Prompt State of Emergency, Containment Impossible

Evacuation Orders Issued Near Bordeaux in France

Spain Faces Firefighting Challenges Due to Worsening Wildfires and Strong Winds

As the worst wildfires have swept across France and Spain, more than 230,000 residents from both countries have been evacuated as of July 25 (local time).

On the 24th (local time), vacationers sat on the beach as a column of wildfire smoke rose into the sky at Moutchic Beach in Lacanau, southwestern France. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to the French daily Le Figaro on July 25 (local time), fires that began in southwestern France on the 22nd have so far burned more than 22,000 hectares—twice the area of Paris—and destroyed 100 buildings. Although there have been no casualties, a total of 141,000 residents from the area have been evacuated as of the previous day.

As the wildfires, which started in the western coastal region, have moved eastward carried by the wind, local authorities issued additional precautionary evacuation orders in the early hours of the day for seven municipalities near Bordeaux. The population in these areas exceeds 69,000, bringing the total number of evacuees to 210,000.

On the 24th (local time), firefighters are extinguishing a fire in the forest in western France. Photo by AP Yonhap News

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, after an inter-ministerial crisis response meeting late the previous night, posted on the social media platform X, saying, "The government has decided to mobilize all necessary resources." He added, "More than 500 military personnel have already been deployed, and on the 25th, around 15 more units will join, bringing the total number of military personnel supporting firefighters to over 1,000."

The road traffic information service operated by the French government has requested citizens leaving for summer vacation over the weekend to "keep roads clear for emergency services" by avoiding wildfire-affected areas, using detour routes, or even postponing their travel plans altogether.

In Spain, where a national state of emergency has been declared due to the severe wildfires, about 25,000 people have been evacuated as wildfires near the capital Madrid have grown. Authorities have also instructed around 40,000 people to remain at home for their safety.

On the 24th (local time), the La Adrada area in Spain was covered in smoke caused by a wildfire. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Two wildfires that broke out in the western region of Madrid merged in the afternoon of the previous day and have grown uncontrollably. There is also a risk they could merge with another wildfire in a neighboring area. The Madrid regional government’s emergency headquarters stated that strong winds and gusts are expected in the morning, which will make firefighting efforts even more difficult. The head of the regional emergency headquarters explained, "This wildfire has reached its peak, and at present, it is beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.