European wildfires force more than 250K evacuations across Spain, France
Raging wildfires have forced the evacuation of over 250,000 people in Spain and France, with one particularly severe blaze posing a threat to the esteemed Bordeaux wine region in France. In response to the escalating crisis, Spain has declared a national emergency, while France has called in military assistance. The unfolding disaster has even led to a shortening of the Tour de France as firefighters face the daunting task of containing these extensive fires.
Sweeping through southwestern France, these wildfires are endangering crucial defense and nuclear sites around Bordeaux. The fires have compelled evacuations and urgent measures at missile production facilities, military research centers, and aerospace plants, as reported by various sources.
These severe blazes coincide with France’s anticipation of its fourth major heat wave this year, set to hit on Tuesday. The extreme temperatures and dry conditions are adding to the challenges faced by firefighting teams as they strive to control the infernos near Bordeaux, according to Reuters.
Forecasts for the French region predict temperatures soaring to 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius), significantly higher than the seasonal average by about 13 degrees (7 degrees Celsius), as indicated by the Reuters Climate Monitor.
Wildfires in southwestern France are posing risks to some of the nation’s most sensitive defense and nuclear installations. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty)
“The situation we are dealing with today is the most severe we have ever recorded, the toughest since the Second World War,” President Emmanuel Macron, who flew to the area, had said Sunday.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said the fires have disrupted more than 13,000 businesses in the Gironde region, with many forced to close or evacuate.
According to The Telegraph, the fires are closing in on missile and rocket factories that store explosive materials.
At least seven sites holding hazardous substances are within 12 miles of the blaze.
France’s Defense Ministry also said 1,500 military personnel have been deployed since July 25 to support firefighting operations and help secure strategic industrial sites. ((AP Photo/Baz Ratner, Pool))
Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, to the west-northwest, is one of the evacuated towns and is home to a large factory that produces propellants for Ariane space rockets and France’s strategic missiles.
A nearby plant in Sainte-Hélène also produces ammonium perchlorate, a key oxidizer used in solid rocket propellants.
According to Defense News, the fires are also threatening factories that make key parts for France’s nuclear missiles, Rafale fighter jets and military missiles.
ArianeGroup evacuated employees from sites in the fire zone, while France’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) closed its military research center in Le Barp as the wildfires first advanced toward Bordeaux.
Officials said there is no risk of radioactive leakage because the facility contains no nuclear materials, the outlet reported.
France and Spain battle one of Europe’s worst wildfire seasons in decades, roughly 360,000 people have been forced to evacuate in recent days, while nearly 100,000 hectares have burned. (Associated Press)
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said July 24 that protective measures had been deployed around the sites “given the nature of the products stored there,” Le Monde said.
Meanwhile, France’s Defense Ministry said 1,500 military personnel have been deployed since Friday to support firefighting operations and help secure strategic industrial sites.
So far, the fires have scorched more than 104,000 acres (42,000 hectares) in the Gironde region, making them among France’s largest wildfires on record.
Authorities said about 240 homes have been destroyed, while nearly 4,000 holidaymakers have been evacuated from campsites, holiday villages and tourist resorts in Lacanau, about 35 miles west of Bordeaux.
As France and Spain battle one of Europe’s worst wildfire seasons in decades, roughly 360,000 people have been forced to evacuate in recent days.