France Orders Evacuation of Cap Ferret Peninsula Amid Raging Wildfires
French authorities have mandated a complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic Coast, due to a severe wildfire threat. The evacuation involves transporting people by boat from the area, which is currently filled with tourists staying in campsites and rental homes. The fire has already devastated 8,700 hectares and continues to spread. French President Emmanuel Macron has sought assistance from the European Union, requesting the activation of the EU's civil protection mechanism. This will bring reinforcements, including aircraft and helicopters from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The region has been severely affected by successive heatwaves, which have intensified drought conditions and left vegetation extremely dry, contributing to the wildfire's rapid spread.