Story perspectives

France Evacuates 220,000 in Worst Wildfire Since WWII

7/29/2026

Summary

France Evacuates

France evacuated 220,000 people as a wildfire burned an area four times Paris, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported.
President Emmanuel Macron called the blaze the worst fire crisis since WWII.
Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said 60,000 evacuees from Le Haillan, Mérignac and Eysines could return Tuesday.
Spain’s Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen reported fires burned 1,530 sq km this year, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to announce a wildfire-pact citing climate change.

Summary

Vicente Reports Blaze

David Vicente, the local council fire department representative, said the blaze remains “very active.”
Juan Navarro reported villages around Cebreros are completely blackened, raising fear of the heatwave.
Sara Casado, a psychologist for the Madrid region’s Citizen Services Department, said evacuees feel anxiety over uncertain return dates.
Elena Sánchez, a 54-year-old kiosk vendor, said she and older neighbors wear surgical masks outdoors because lingering smoke irritates their throats.

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France Evacuates

France evacuated 220,000 people as a wildfire burned an area four times Paris, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported.
President Emmanuel Macron called the blaze the worst fire crisis since WWII.
Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said 60,000 evacuees from Le Haillan, Mérignac and Eysines could return Tuesday.
Spain’s Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen reported fires burned 1,530 sq km this year, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to announce a wildfire-pact citing climate change.

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