Firefighters battle Madrid blaze, as thousands evacuated in France and Spain

Spanish authorities have warned that a blaze near Madrid is beyond the ability of firefighters to contain it, after three fires in the west of the capital escalated into a single blaze.

The Spanish government declared a national emergency, with 63,000 people told to evacuate or stay in their homes; this number was told to rise to at least 25,000 in total.

Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso described the fire as “the worst fire in the history of the region”, with the region facing a “perfect storm” of high temperatures, relentless wind and converging fire fronts.

Meanwhile, approximately 140,000 people were evacuated after the fires affected the Gironde and Landes regions in southwestern France.

The fire changed direction later on Friday and moved towards Bordeaux; Other evacuations are expected. French President Emmanuel Macron mobilized the army to assist in the response.

In Spain, local emergency services said wildfires were moving towards the municipalities of Robledo de Chavela and Fresnedillas de la Olivia, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the capital.

“The forest fire is at its peak and is currently beyond the capacity of firefighters to contain it,” Carlos Novillo, emergency management chief for Madrid’s regional government, told reporters.

“It is not possible to intervene in the fire in that area, so defensive measures are being taken,” he added.