A raging wildfire in southwest France forced the evacuation of 55,000 people overnight on Sunday, bringing the total forced out of their homes to a staggering 220,000 in one region alone, as flames crept ever closer to the wine region city of Bordeaux.
Shifting and gusting winds, as well as arid conditions, complicated massive efforts to limit the spread of the blaze burning out of control since midweek in France's Gironde region, where Bordeaux is located.
Authorities issued several evacuation orders overnight for at least five localities southwest of the historic city.
“The situation remains very unfavourable," said French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez after what he described as “another difficult night” for fire crews battling round-the-clock against the blaze that has burned an area four times the size of the capital Paris.
“The fire became extremely virulent again and unpredictable, generating its own winds and advancing erratically toward the Bordeaux metropolitan area," Nunez posted on X.
