France and Spain fires: Macron calls crisis meeting as wildfires threaten Bordeaux

About 77,000 hectares have been affected by the fires in Spain, Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen said on Sunday.

He added that the forest fire burning in the Ávila region was the largest fire in the country’s recent history.

Among the residents who evacuated surrounding areas was 50-year-old Olga Congacha, who was forced to flee in a hurry from the village of Robledo de Chavela, west of Madrid.

He said he “panicked” when he was told to leave his home.

“I didn’t know whether to cry or not. There was a moment when you felt bad,” he added.

The woman, who returned home for a short time to get medicine on Sunday, said that the streets were abandoned and her house was covered with ashes.

Authorities say winds are pushing wildfires near Madrid south and away from the capital, but forcing the evacuation of more villages along the way.

More than 90,000 people were evacuated from the areas around Madrid and Ávila.