LEGE-CAP FERRET, France — French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting on Monday to address devastating wildfires that have displaced over 250,000 residents, as early signs indicate a potential slowdown in the spread of the largest blaze.
In the Gironde region of southwest France, where flames have engulfed an area four times the size of Paris, the prefecture reported the situation remained “generally stable” overnight, a shift from previous days when the massive fire, which has raged since last week, edged closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux.
No new evacuations were announced. However, with France approaching its peak August tourist season, Gironde authorities implemented additional measures to deter visitors, banning holiday camps for children and individuals with disabilities.
On the ground and in the air, extensive firefighting efforts utilizing water and retardant-dropping aircraft are in a race against time, seeking to gain control before a predicted heatwave from Tuesday could intensify the challenge of containment.
The government crisis meeting was scheduled for Monday morning, with Macron presiding. In a weekend post on X, he pledged long-term support for fire-affected communities, stating: “We will rebuild, we will repair, and we will remain present for as long as necessary.”
In Spain, wildfires raged out of control near Madrid, with evacuations conducted Sunday in the Valencia region.
The Spanish government reported that 76,000 people have been evacuated, while 30,000 others have been confined to their homes.
Evacuees expressed anxiety about their future when permitted to return. “It looked like the apocalypse. You couldn’t see anything. Everything was covered in ash,” said Rocío Domínguez, who evacuated with her dog, Simba, from Chapinería, west of Madrid. “We don’t know if we’ll find half the house burned down or if it’ll be intact. All the clothes, all the memories, everything.”
