Spain declares emergency and France seeks EU aid amid raging wildfires

Wildfires continuing across Southern Europe have prompted emergency measures in both Spain and France.

In Spain, the interior ministry declared a state of emergency of national significance for the Madrid region and the neighbouring province of Ávila. The declaration transfers operational command to a military crisis unit, enabling the deployment of additional resources and personnel to battle the blazes.

Meanwhile, in southwestern France, uncontrollable fires in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region forced the evacuation of nearly 30,000 people from holiday villages and campsites, particularly around the Arcachon basin. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism to request international assistance, describing the nation as being under "high tension".

Sources: Der Standard, ORF, Tagesschau.