Tens of thousands evacuated as wildfires spread across Europe amid extreme drought

French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast as intense and unpredictable wildfires continue to spread across southwestern France. Tens of thousands of residents and tourists, totaling approximately 40,000 people, are being transported from the popular holiday destination by both road and sea, utilizing boats from several piers. The blazes, which began near Saumos, have already consumed over 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) of land by Friday morning, with around 80 homes reportedly destroyed in the area.

The rapidly advancing fire has prompted the closure of numerous roads leading to Cap Ferret, a peninsula known for its scenic beauty and celebrity villas. Simultaneously, a second significant wildfire south near Biscarrosse has forced the evacuation of an additional 23,000 individuals, overwhelming local firefighting resources.

France has activated the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism, requesting international assistance to battle the "highly dynamic and unfavourable" fire fronts. This critical situation comes amid a summer of extreme heatwaves across Europe, which scientists warn are exacerbating the frequency and intensity of wildfires, making 2026 an unprecedented fire season for the country.