Wildfires force evacuations of over 140,000 in Spain and France, officials warn of limited containment capacity

Wildfires in Spain and France have led to the evacuation of more than 140,000 people, with Spanish officials stating that the blaze near Madrid is beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain.

In Spain, three fires west of Madrid merged into a single blaze, prompting the evacuation of at least 30,000 people. Madrid's regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, described the fire as the worst in the region's history, citing high temperatures, strong winds and merging fire fronts as contributing factors.

Carlos Novillo, the Madrid regional government's emergency management chief, told reporters: 'The wildfire is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain. It's not possible to attack the fire in that area, so defensive measures are being taken.'

Authorities said the fire was moving towards the municipalities of Robledo de Chavela and Fresnedillas de la Olivia, approximately 50 kilometres from the capital.

In France, more than 110,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions in the south-west. The fire changed direction on Friday and is heading towards Bordeaux, with further evacuations expected. French President Emmanuel Macron has mobilised the military to assist in the response.

Both countries are facing extreme weather conditions, with high temperatures and dry vegetation creating favourable conditions for wildfires. Climate experts have noted that such events are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming.

The Spanish government has declared a national emergency in the affected areas. Officials continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to follow evacuation orders.