Macron calls crisis talks as wildfires in Spain and France force 300,000 to flee

French President Emmanuel Macron has called a crisis cabinet meeting on Monday morning as wildfires continue to blaze across parts of France and Spain.

About 325,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain, with 220,000 fleeing a wildfire in the French Gironde region, near Bordeaux.

In Gironde, where wildfires have burned an area four times the size of Paris, officials said the situation overnight had remained “largely stable” after days of the blaze moving towards the wine-producing city of Bordeaux.

Strong winds and dry conditions have made it difficult for crews to fight the fire in southwest France, which has been burning since Wednesday, scorching 42,000 hectares.

Now a fourth heatwave is on the way, bringing temperatures as high as 40C and adding further fuel to the flames.

On Saturday, Macron thanked those who had helped to tackle the fires and countries that have provided “invaluable support”.

Wildfires have scorched 42,000 hectares of land outside Bordeaux, France. / Credit: AP

Bordeaux airport said it is still operating as usual, with bus and tram services still available.

Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said the blaze is approximately 15 kilometres from Bordeaux, but the city has not yet evacuated its population of 268,000.

Firefighters are also tackling blazes in the Landes and Var regions, bringing the total number of evacuees in the country to more than 250,000.

In central Spain, the ground is still smouldering as wildfires have scorched approximately 77,000 hectares.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated in Avila, Madrid, Toledo and Valencia.

On Saturday, a man died in a wildfire in the Valencia suburb of Manises.

A car burnt out as a result of a wildfire in central Spain, west of Madrid. / Credit: AP

“We have lost everything,” said Vanesa Muñoz, mayor of Casavieja, in the Avila region.

“People have lost their businesses and we are left here abandoned,” she added.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for governments to work together to fight climate change.

Across Italy, operations continue to tackle wildfires, with planes and helicopters arriving from Naples, emergency services confirmed.

A fire broke out in a Mediterranean pine forest in Puglia, southern Italy, and beachgoers were evacuated as plumes of smoke were seen billowing above.

Emergency services are using water tankers to help fight the blaze, but there are concerns over its proximity to areas popular with tourists.

There have been no fatalities in the area.

In his Sunday prayers, Pope Leo XIV paid respects to those affected by the wildfires across Europe.