Authorities in southwestern France have ordered preventive evacuations for seven communes near Bordeaux as wildfires intensify.
The crisis adds to regional instability and raises concerns over potential disruptions to logistics and trade routes in the Gironde department.
The prefecture announced the measure in the early hours of Saturday, urging residents to leave their homes and clear roads for emergency services.
The affected areas include Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Le Haillan, Saint-Jean d'Illac, Martignas-sur-Jalles, and Saint-Aubin de Médoc, which together account for a significant population in the region.
The fires, which began on Wednesday, have spread rapidly due to dry conditions and strong winds, overwhelming local firefighting resources.
This development marks a significant escalation in the wildfire crisis affecting France and Spain.