Tens of thousands of people flee raging wildfires in France and Spain, some escaping by boat

Tens of thousands of people fled raging wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain after authorities ordered evacuations estimated at 80,000 residents. In France, flames swept the tourist Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast, consuming more than 100 square kilometers (38 square miles) since Wednesday. With the peninsula about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Bordeaux, more than 60,000 residents escaped, and some used boat shuttles when roads became difficult. Around 1,500 people arrived by sea in the city of Arcachon, including those transported on small water taxis. France deployed hundreds of firefighters and additional ground and aerial support, while Spain issued its first national wildfire emergency amid blazes near Madrid and Ávila, evacuating about 20,000 people. Temperatures in Spain were forecast above 39°C (102°F), and both countries requested EU assistance, including Canadair and Air Tractor aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters.