Firefighters battle to contain France and Spain wildfires as thousands evacuated | BBC News

Unprecedented wildfires fueled by extreme heat and drought have led to the evacuation of over 200,000 people in France and 20,000 in Spain, with emergency services struggling to contain the blazes.

Spain has declared a national emergency as wildfires near Madrid remain out of control. Authorities are coordinating with the EU for aerial support, while tens of thousands of residents have been displaced.

Popular tourist areas in France, such as Cap Ferret and the Gironde region, face significant threats from shifting forest fires, with health services now monitoring the impacts of intense smoke inhalation.

Local officials in Spain report that fire containment is currently impossible due to high winds, with the primary objective being to prevent multiple fires from merging into a single larger disaster.

Police Scotland has declared a major incident in Cairngorms National Park as wildfires threaten local villages, forcing evacuations and deploying helicopters to reach inaccessible terrain.