France sends boats to evacuate tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires rage
French authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on Friday as aggressive wildfires tore through the region. Approximately 40,000 people were forced to leave the popular tourist destination. Because only a single road links the peninsula to the mainland, officials deployed boats to transport residents and visitors to safety from the fire zones.
The situation remains critical. Fire services report that the blaze grew by 1,000 hectares per hour overnight. Embers jumped into residential areas, forcing firefighters to combat fires in homes and campsites while the perimeter wall of flames advanced. Over 1,000 personnel are currently on the ground attempting to contain the damage.
This event is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather across Europe. France has recorded more than 300 wildfires this year, a significant increase from the historical average of 93. President Emmanuel Macron requested international assistance, with firefighting aircraft and crews arriving from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to support local teams.
Spain also declared a national emergency as separate blazes forced the evacuation of 19,000 people west of Madrid. Meteorological conditions continue to parch the landscape, making the region highly susceptible to ignition. Officials advise those remaining in affected zones to monitor local updates and follow evacuation orders immediately.