Wildfires spread near Bordeaux as French President Macron calls crisis meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency crisis meeting as severe wildfires continue to expand across southwestern France and Spain. Firefighters struggle to contain the blazes, which have approached the outskirts of Bordeaux and forced the closure of key transport routes, including the railway line between Bordeaux and Biarritz.

Authorities report that over 220,000 people have been evacuated from France's Gironde region alone, while total displacement estimates across both nations range between 250,000 and 325,000. In France's Var region, local officials suspect arson after three simultaneous fires erupted. Extreme heat and strong winds are expected to persist, further complicating containment operations as one official acknowledged emergency services "are far from having the fire under control."

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