3.3 Lakh Evacuated as France Orders 4,000 More to Leave Amid Europe Wildfire Crisis

Southwest Europe remained in the grip of a devastating wildfire crisis on Tuesday as France ordered another 4,000 people to evacuate from popular Atlantic coastal resorts, while Spain continued battling its largest wildfire on record amid another looming heatwave.

The latest evacuation order came after fresh flames erupted near the tourist beach of Grand Crohot on the Lege-Cap-Ferret peninsula. Authorities deployed 23 aircraft and helicopters to drop water and fire retardant as firefighters struggled to prevent the blaze from spreading further.

Officials described the situation as extremely fragile, warning that soaring temperatures, dry conditions and shifting winds could quickly reignite flames despite progress made in some areas.

While thousands of holidaymakers were forced to leave coastal campsites and resorts, around 60,000 residents evacuated earlier from suburbs near Bordeaux were allowed to return home as no fires reached their neighborhoods. Even then, authorities urged residents to remain on alert with emergency bags packed.

The massive Gironde wildfire has already scorched an area four times the size of Paris and triggered the evacuation of nearly 220,000 people, making it one of the largest peacetime civilian evacuation operations in France.

Across France and Spain, nearly 330,000 people have now been displaced by rapidly spreading wildfires. In France alone, more than 1,160 square kilometres have burned this year, while Spain has lost over 1,530 square kilometres of land to fires.

In Spain, firefighters made significant overnight progress, allowing nearly 20,000 evacuees to begin returning home. However, authorities warned that another intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to cross 40°C, could quickly worsen conditions.

Spain's worst-hit blaze in Avila has become the largest wildfire in the country's recorded history, scorching more than 500 square kilometres. Officials also reported the formation of pyrocumulonimbus clouds, towering fire-generated thunderclouds capable of producing lightning, violent winds and new fires.

The wildfire season has already claimed 13 lives in Spain this year, making 2026 one of the country's deadliest fire seasons in decade