Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in France and Spain
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from southwest France and areas near Madrid, Spain, due to massive wildfires. In France, the Cap Ferret peninsula, a popular tourist destination, has been completely evacuated. In Spain, fires have merged outside Madrid, prompting the government to declare a national emergency, the first of its kind for a wildfire. Both countries are seeking assistance from the European Union as emergency services are overwhelmed. The fires are exacerbated by high temperatures and strong winds, creating a 'perfect storm' for rapid fire spread.