French President Emmanuel Macron convened an interministerial crisis meeting on 26 July as wildfires spread across southwest France, with flames advancing to within 15 kilometres of the city of Bordeaux. 

The meeting brought together senior ministers and emergency officials to coordinate the national response as one of the country's worst wildfire emergencies in recent years continued to unfold.

More than 220,000 people have been evacuated across France, while thousands of firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft and crews from several European countries, are battling blazes driven by extreme heat, strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions.

An unprecedented situation

The fires have torn through large parts of the Gironde region, including the Cap Ferret peninsula, and continue to threaten communities surrounding Bordeaux, the heart of France's renowned wine industry.

Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said there were no immediate plans to evacuate the city despite the fire reaching within 15 kilometres of its outskirts. Overnight, police went door to door in the nearby towns of Marcheprime and Cestas, helping residents leave their homes as the flames advanced.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said firefighters were facing an exceptionally difficult battle, warning that the blaze remained out of control.

"We have a fire that is not under control and which is moving in the direction of the city area," Nunez told the media network France 2. "The overall situation is very unfavourable. We are in a situation that is unprecedented."

Authorities warned that the coming days would remain critical, with forecasts pointing to continued hot, dry and windy weather.

Wildfire crisis spreads across southern Europe

The emergency extends beyond France. In Spain, more than 75,000 people have been evacuated, while another 30,000 have been told to remain indoors as multiple fires burn across the country.

The largest blaze, in the central province of Ávila, has burned more than 500 square kilometres, making it Spain's largest wildfire in recent history. As fires continue to rage across the region, aircraft and firefighting crews from several European countries have joined efforts to help France and Spain contain the blazes.

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