Adedokun Waliyu 
More than 160,000 people have been evacuated from parts of France and Spain as massive wildfires continue to spread, forcing authorities to deploy emergency resources and seek assistance from the European Union.
The fires, described as the worst in France’s history, have been burning for several days, with hundreds of firefighters working around the clock to contain the flames.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron ordered the military to join firefighting operations as the blazes threatened communities and holiday destinations during the peak vacation season.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the country had never experienced wildfires of such magnitude, while officials warned that the blaze near Bordeaux was threatening surrounding areas, including regions famous for their vineyards.
Emergency shelters have been opened in schools and gymnasiums to accommodate thousands of displaced residents and tourists.
Authorities said more than 141,000 people have been evacuated from southwestern France, while about 25,000 others have fled the Madrid region in Spain. An additional 40,000 residents in Spain have been advised to remain indoors because of heavy smoke.
Scientists say the fires have been intensified by prolonged heatwaves and severe drought, conditions linked to climate change that have left forests extremely dry and vulnerable to fire.
Near Madrid, two major wildfires have merged into a single blaze, raising fears that the flames could spread closer to the Spanish capital.
Regional environment officials described the fire as being at its most dangerous stage and beyond the capacity of firefighters to fully contain.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was scheduled to visit the affected areas and attend an emergency planning meeting as authorities continued efforts to control the fires.
Officials expressed cautious optimism that slightly cooler temperatures and changing weather conditions could help firefighters gain control, although strong and unpredictable winds remain a major concern.
In France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an emergency meeting and announced the deployment of 1,000 military personnel to support firefighting operations.
The fires have already destroyed about 22,000 hectares of land in France, while another major blaze in Spain’s Guadalajara province has scorched approximately 32,000 hectares.
French authorities also announced the distribution of 1.5 million protective face masks to residents and emergency workers exposed to heavy smoke.
Around 44,000 people were evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula near Bordeaux, with hundreds escaping by boat.
Authorities reported that about 40 firefighters were injured while battling the Cap Ferret blaze, while three firefighters have lost their lives in separate wildfires in France and Italy this week.
Emergency services in both countries continue efforts to bring the fires under control and protect lives and property.
