The wildfires sweeping France and Spain have forced more than 330,000 people to evacuate, and the crisis has now disrupted the Tour de France, with organizers shortening Sunday’s final stage so security forces can be redeployed to the fire zone.
Wildfires have raged across Europe over the past week, primarily hitting France and Spain. France has been the worst-affected country. An area of 42,000 hectares has burnt in the latest blaze, making it one of the largest forest fires since World War Two. Since the start of the year, about 98,000 hectares have burnt across the country. Captain Nicolas Braz, one of the leaders of the firefighting operation, said the blaze had created “its own winds - complete with whirlwinds” and was “erratic and unmanageable.”
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Sunday that the situation in the Gironde region remained “very unfavourable.” The fire was “moving erratically towards the Bordeaux metropolitan area.” In an interview published on Sunday by La Tribune, Nunez said the fire “will take a long time to bring under control.” Until it is contained, he warned, “there will be no return” for evacuated residents and tourists.
Evacuations mount across two countries
A further 55,000 people have been evacuated from six towns to the south of Bordeaux, in the Gironde region, as wildfires which have caused devastation across the country pick up pace. Dry vegetation and brisk winds are causing the fire to spread. 60 kilometers of the A63 motorway, which leads to Spain, have been closed. Bordeaux airport is shut. The French government has warned against all road or rail travel to the area.
France has mobilised its military. Extra reinforcements from the army have been sent to help firefighters by clearing brush and creating fire breaks. President Emmanuel Macron said France would “rebuild” and his government would “be there for as long as is needed.”
In Spain, fires continue to spread. More than 90,000 people have been evacuated from the regions around Madrid and Ávila. Late on Saturday, at least eight municipalities near Toledo were also ordered to evacuate, though it was unclear how many people were involved. Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, described the situation as the “worst fire in the history of the region.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez admitted there were “complex times ahead.” Authorities in València confirmed the death of a man in a fire.
Sunday was expected to bring high temperatures and low humidity, conditions that could allow the fires to spread further.
Tour de France rerouted
The final stage of the Tour de France has been shortened and rerouted. First responders have been diverted from Paris to tackle wildfires raging in the southwest of France. Sunday’s traditional stage in Paris was cut from 133km to just 89km, with riders starting on the Champs-Elysees rather than in Thoiry, west of the French capital. The change was deemed necessary because multiple security officers have been diverted to the fires. The new route will leave a smaller race footprint for local officials to secure.
The Amaury Sport Organisation, which organizes the Tour, said in a statement that “numerous wildfires are currently affecting France, particularly the Gironde region.” Emergency services are fully mobilised to combat the blazes, the organization said, while internal security forces are working to secure the affected areas and protect the population. “In light of this,” the statement added, the Ministry of the Interior has decided to redeploy a portion of the internal security forces initially mobilised to ensure security for the final stage. The redeployment is intended to reinforce response efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires.
The redesigned stage 21 will still end along the famed Champs-Elysees. Riders will take two extra circuits of the road before heading out for the Montmartre climb. The Montmartre circuit has proven popular after it was used in the 2024 Paris Olympics and then added to the 2025 Tour de France. The area can accommodate large gatherings of fans, who turn the area into a party atmosphere.
Earlier in the Tour de France, fans were asked to stay away from the final 40km of stage three because of wildfires and the need to deploy first responders to the area. Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar is set to secure a record-equalling fifth Tour de France after dominating the three-week race.