Wildfires push to Bordeaux edge as 300,000 flee across France and Spain

As the firefront pressed closer, French authorities released footage of police officers conducting door-to-door overnight evacuations in the municipalities of Marcheprime and Cestas, knocking on doors in the dark to urge families to leave immediately, France 24 reported.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited fire-ravaged areas in Avila, one of three central provinces alongside Madrid and Toledo facing major blazes. Spanish Environment Minister Sara Aagesen said flames have destroyed more than 50,000 hectares in Avila alone, making it the largest wildfire in Spain's recent history.

A separate, uncontained blaze in eastern Spain's Castellon province has burned over 4,300 hectares and spread into the Sierra de Espadan natural park, threatening pine and cork oak forests, France 24 reported.

"The fire is out of control, it's very difficult to extinguish from a technical standpoint, especially because of the adverse weather conditions that will continue throughout the day," Valencian regional leader Juanfran Perez told reporters near the scene.

International support is mobilizing under the European Union's civil protection mechanism. Greece and Italy each dispatched two Canadair firefighting aircraft to Spain. Portugal deployed over 100 military personnel with specialized equipment. Spain's interior ministry said two additional aircraft from Turkey are expected to arrive as soon as possible.

Sanchez announced that his government will declare a civil protection emergency on Tuesday for the impacted central provinces, releasing recovery funds. He said more than 150,000 hectares have been destroyed across Spain since January, six times the total area burned during the same period last year, according to France 24.