Western Europe wildfires force tens of thousands to flee; France triggers EU civil protection mechanism

Published Jul 24, 03:36 AM UTC

Severe wildfires driven by scorching temperatures and strong winds swept through western Europe on Friday, prompting mass evacuations and emergency responses. France invoked the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with President Macron warning the crisis remains 'very intense.' EU crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib announced three water-bombing planes were being sent to France. In southwestern France, over 20,000 people, mostly tourists, were evacuated from campsites and holiday homes near Bordeaux as fires ravaged a seaside pine forest. Two firefighters died Tuesday battling a blaze near Bordeaux airport, and a third died in Sicily. Spain declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region, where more than 10,000 people were evacuated. Italy battled scores of fires in Sicily and Calabria, with officials reporting arsonists using cats to spread flames. The total area burned in EU countries this year is the second largest on record, according to EFFIS satellite data. Climatologists from the World Weather Attribution group linked the severe drought to human-caused climate change.