Firefighters race to control massive blazes approaching major cities in France and Spain

By — Mark Carlson, Associated Press Mark Carlson, Associated Press By — John Leicester, Associated Press John Leicester, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/firefighters-race-to-control-massive-blazes-approaching-major-cities-in-france-and-spain Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Firefighters race to control massive blazes approaching major cities in France and Spain World Jul 26, 2026 4:58 PM EDT LEGE-CAP FERRET, France (AP) — A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight Sunday, bringing the total forced out of their homes to a staggering 220,000 in one region alone, as flames crept ever closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux. Neighboring Spain oversaw its own fire evacuations on the country's east coast. READ MORE: More than 200,000 people flee raging wildfires in France and Spain, some escaping by boat Shifting and gusting winds, as well as arid conditions, complicated massive efforts to limit the spread of the monster blaze burning out of control since midweek in France's Gironde region, where Bordeaux is located. Authorities issued overnight evacuation orders for five more localities southwest of the historic city. "The situation remains very unfavorable," French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said after what he described as "another difficult night" for fire crews battling round-the-clock against the blaze that has burned an area four times the size of Paris. "The fire became extremely virulent again and unpredictable, generating its own winds and advancing erratically toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area," Nunez posted on X. "It became calmer by the end of the night," the minister added. Pope calls for prayers for victims of the 'devastating wildfires' At the end of his Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV referenced "the devastating wildfires" in France and Spain and said: "I express my solidarity and invite everyone to pray for those affected and for the work of the rescue workers." An estimated 42,000 hectares (162 square miles) had burned in Gironde, the region's prefecture said, much of it forests and scrubland made tinder-dry by successive heat waves. That is seven times the area of Manhattan island and four times the size of Paris. Firefighters raced in trucks to fight flare-ups and planes dropping water and retardants rotated in the smoke-filled air. Farmers delivered water in tanks to fire crews so they could fight the flames without interruption. "This allows firefighters to focus on the fire," said Theo Hernandez, a wine grower. "It's very strong, very virulent, it's spreading everywhere." The number of firefighters mobilized grew to 2,500, backed by 18 planes and helicopters, including from other European nations. Soldiers have also been called in. A giant A400M military cargo aircraft dropped plumes of ochre-colored retardant. The Gironde prefecture said 75 firefighters were treated