How are France and Spain tackling the worst wildfires in their history?

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France and Spain Mobilise Extensive Resources Amidst Unprecedented Wildfires

France and Spain are deploying significant national and international resources, including military personnel and firefighting aircraft, to combat devastating wildfires that have forced the evacuation of over 160,000 people. These infernos, fuelled by drought and high winds, are impacting regions near major cities like Madrid and Bordeaux, with some blazes described as being beyond the immediate capacity of firefighters to contain. The scale of these events has prompted emergency declarations and calls for assistance from the European Union.
Military and Emergency Personnel Deployed

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has mobilised the army to assist in containing a severe wildfire, with a total of 1,000 military personnel being deployed to combat the flames. Reinforcements have also been sent from across France to support local firefighting efforts. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting the emergency coordination centre in the Madrid region, where two major wildfires west of the capital have merged and are threatening a suburban town.
International and EU Assistance Sought and Provided

Both Madrid and Paris have requested assistance from the European Union. In response, the European Commission is dispatching four water-bombing planes to Spain and three to France. This international support is crucial given the unprecedented nature and scale of the fires, which are consuming vast tracts of dry forests.
Evacuations and Destruction Amidst Extreme Conditions

The wildfires have led to the mass evacuation of over 160,000 people, with at least 141,000 evacuated in southwestern France and 25,000 in the Madrid region. In the Cap Ferret peninsula near Bordeaux, approximately 44,000 people fled, and over 50 houses have been destroyed. The fires are exacerbated by strong winds and drought, conditions linked to climate change, which have led to multiple heatwaves across Europe since May.
Significant Land and Human Losses

The fires have resulted in substantial land loss, with the largest active fire in Spain's Guadalajara province scorching around 32,000 hectares. French fires in the Cap Ferret and Biscarrosse areas have burned over 13,500 hectares, while the Madrid region has lost an additional 6,000 hectares. Tragically, the human cost includes the deaths of three firefighters this week in France and Italy. Additionally, around 40 firefighters battling the Cap Ferret blaze have sustained injuries.

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How are France and Spain tackling the worst wildfires in their history?

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