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French authorities have announced evacuation orders for three suburbs of the city of Bordeaux in southwestern France, as wildfires continue to devastate southern Europe.
Residents of Le Haillan, Eysines, and Mérignac have been told to leave the area immediately via planned evacuation routes.
An “unprecedented” wildfire has burned through around 19,000 hectares in the Gironde department this week, prompting the evacuations of around 110,000 people.
The blaze began in the town of Saumos on Tuesday before moving towards the areas of Le Porge and Lège Cap-Ferret. It has since spread east towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area, where smoke is visible from the fires raging in the Arcachon Basin.
Bordeaux has opened the Parc des Expositions exhibition centre to accommodate evacuees.
Two firefighters died while tackling flames in Mérignac on Tuesday. French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the pair in a post on social media.
“I extend the nation’s condolences, gratitude and support to their families, their loved ones and the firefighters of France,” he wrote.
France has requested assistance to tackle the fires through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism. The bloc said on Friday that planes and helicopters from Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia would be sent to provide help.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has announced that Sweden was also sending firefighting aircraft to assist as part of the programme.
Spain
In Spain, fires are continuing to rage in the Madrid area and in the province of Ávila, with thousands forced to flee their homes.
The Spanish government has declared a national emergency over fires threatening communities in the region.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, said on Friday that the blaze affecting the area was “the worst” in local history.
Spain’s Civil Guard said 650 officers, 60 vehicles, and two helicopters have been deployed as part of efforts to help with evacuations.
According to EU figures, 1,254 fires have burned through around 254,388 hectares in Europe since the beginning of the year.
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