John Leicester

Wildfires in France’s Gironde region forced roughly 220,000 people from their homes as strong, shifting winds and dry conditions drove flames toward Bordeaux. Thousands of firefighters, supported by aircraft, helicopters, soldiers and crews from other European countries, battled the blaze, while authorities reported injuries and extensive property damage. Additional evacuations took place in southern France and eastern Spain, where fires also killed at least one person and displaced tens of thousands. Officials warned that extreme heat and unstable conditions could complicate efforts to contain the fires, although Spanish authorities reported some progress.