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Live: France evacuates 55,000 more as Bordeaux fires worsen

Live: France evacuates 55,000 more as Bordeaux fires worsen
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More than 300,000 people fled wildfires raging across France and Spain on Saturday as worsening conditions forced fresh evacuations and authorities warned of a "difficult night". Fire-generated whirlwinds fuelled blazes near Bordeaux, while Spain battled expanding infernos threatening areas near Madrid. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.

More than 300,000 people fled wildfires raging across France and Spain on Saturday as worsening conditions forced fresh evacuations and authorities warned of a "difficult night". Fire-generated whirlwinds fuelled blazes near Bordeaux, while Spain battled expanding infernos threatening areas near Madrid. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments. Thousands of soldiers and security deployed in France to assist firefighters France has deployed 1,500 soldiers and 1,700 security personnel to assist firefighters near Bordeaux, and on Saturday an A400M military transport aircraft joined the fleet of smaller planes already dousing the flames. Dozens of firefighters were deployed from Paris to reinforce the response. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said a total of 1,400 firefighters were tackling the blazes. Spain orders more evacuations as Madrid wildfires worsen Spain's interior ministry announced a fresh round of evacuations late on Saturday as wildfires raged near Madrid, including in the province of Toledo, south-west of the Spanish capital. "The situation is complex," Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told reporters. "Today, we are somewhat more pessimistic than yesterday. Weather conditions – as you have seen throughout the day – have not helped at all. The night ahead does not look favourable; it will not be an easy one for us," he warned.
France (LOCATION) Bordeaux (LOCATION) Spain (LOCATION) Madrid (LOCATION) A400M (ORG) Paris (LOCATION) Sebastien Lecornu (PERSON) Toledo (LOCATION) Spanish (ORG) Fernando Grande-Marlaska (PERSON)
Originally published by France 24 Read original →