In brief
President Emmanuel Macron will convene a crisis cabinet on Monday as a devastating wildfire approaches Bordeaux, just 15 km from the city. Evacuation plans are uncertain, with the mayor stating no city‑wide evacuation has been ordered. The fire has sparked a rare pyrocumulonimbus storm, making it difficult for firefighters to contain. Heatwave forecasts predict temperatures up to 40 °C, adding to the challenge. Parallel outbreaks across Spain have forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee, highlighting the need for coordinated climate‑action policies.
Macron calls crisis meeting as wildfires threaten Bordeaux and heatwave looms
French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a crisis cabinet on Monday as wildfires encroach on the south‑western city of Bordeaux. The blaze, just 15 km from the city centre, could threaten over 850,000 residents.
Mayor Thomas Cazenave has cleared no city‑wide evacuation yet, but tens of thousands have already fled surrounding villages. The fire has sparked a “pyrocumulonimbus” thunderstorm – a giant fire‑trojan backed by its own winds and lightning – complicating firefighting efforts.
Heatwave forecasts indicate temperatures may reach 40 °C in some areas this week, adding further risk of rapid spread. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the situation as “very unfavourable” and noted the fire’s erratic movement toward the city.
Across Europe, more than 330,000 people have been evacuated from France and Spain alone, as governments mobilise resources to fight the most severe fires since the Second World War.
Key facts- Burned area: roughly 42,000 ha in the Gironde region.
- Evacuations: Over 220,000 in southwestern France, and more than 90,000 around Madrid and Ávila in Spain.
- Specialty fire: Pyrocumulonimbus storm threatens rapid spread despite firefighting efforts.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged a “major public pact on the climate emergency,” while King Felipe VI toured emergency shelters, emphasizing the damage to natural heritage.
For teams on the ground, the goal is to force the blaze toward the sea or bring heavy rainfall. In the current scenario, a few days of intense rain could give firefighters a chance to win the fight.
