Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as Spain and France Battle Powerful Wildfires
Firefighters in Spain and France are trying to contain huge wildfires that have forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in both countries. A fresh heat wave of heat could complicate matters as the flames near urban areas.
Wildfires Ravage Spain and France Amid Intense Heat Wave
REPORTER:
In eastern Spain, yet more woodland erupts into flames. Nearly 9,000 hectares have caught fire here in the province of Castellón alone amid an intense summer heat wave—and firefighters are still battling to get some kind of control.
REPORTER:
Even in spots where the fire’s quieted down a bit, flames still sear a path through the surrounding hills.
José Miguel Encinas (EVACUEE):
It was like in the movies where hell cracked the ground open and you see the red hell, that’s how it was here. On Saturday night, this hill was horrific. In that area with houses, there were flames 15 to 20 meters tall. It was an atrocity.
REPORTER:
Elsewhere across Spain, similar scrambles to stop the worst as wildfires blaze. Here outside the capital Madrid, an operation to stop a stubborn blaze fueled by high temperatures and ample kindling.
REPORTER:
Spanish forestry experts say in a changing climate, more needs to be done to prepare for wildfires that simply will come more fiercely and more often.
María Eugenia Oliver (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, ASSOC. OF FOREST TECHNICAL ENGINEERS):
Wildfires must be addressed throughout the entire year. It doesn't matter if it's summer or winter; continuous forest management is needed so that, when a fire does occur, forests are in the best possible condition for firefighters to contain and combat it.
REPORTER:
In neighboring France, heavy machinery tears through the vegetation by the side of a highway—a race against flames that are ripping through the Bordeaux region.
REPORTER:
These wildfires causing mass evacuations—220,000 people here in France and around 100,000 in Spain. None of the evacuees sheltering in this Bordeaux hangar can say when it will be safe to leave—or what they’ll find waiting for them when they do.
Sylvie Michel (EVACUEE):
I'm pleasantly surprised, because I feel we've been extremely well looked after. We've been welcomed and supported in absolutely every area we might need help. And as far as I'm concerned, having help for my animals is important.
REPORTER:
In the city of Bordeaux itself, life goes on but the flames are closing in, now just kilometers away.
REPORTER:
And so, for officials, it’s all hands on deck. President Emmanuel Macron has come to see the latest plans of action.
Emmanuel Macron (FRENCH PRESIDENT):
We must understand that we are facing a completely unprecedented wildfire. The situation we are dealing with today is the most severe we have ever recorded, the toughest since the Second World War. More than 160,000 hectares have already burned and the season is far from over.
REPORTER:
While a smaller fire is contained, the main blaze near Bordeaux is still ripping through wooded areas—and despite some progress, a new heat wave expected this week combined with windy conditions mean French firefighters face a tough campaign ahead.
