Macron calls emergency meeting as wildfires reach Bordeaux outskirts

French President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting as severe wildfires continued expanding across southwestern France and Spain. Flames reached the outskirts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area, forcing the closure of key regional infrastructure, including the Bordeaux–Biarritz railway line, and prompting organizers to shorten a stage of the Tour de France.

In France's Gironde department, over 42,000 hectares have been destroyed, pushing national burned land past 115,000 hectares this year. Officials report overall evacuation estimates between 250,000 and 325,000 people across both nations. Additionally, authorities in the Var region announced investigations into suspected arson following three simultaneous fire outbreaks. Emergency crews remain deployed as impending heatwave conditions threaten to worsen containment efforts.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, France24, Helsingin Sanomat, Le Figaro.