More than 40,000 people evacuated in France as wildfires continue to spread

More than 40,000 people have been evacuated from southwestern France over the past two days as wildfires continue to spread across the region and remain out of control, France 24 reported.

France’s Interior Minister said that more than 50,000 hectares have burned across the country since January. The fires have destroyed more than 50 homes, while 105 houses and buildings have been damaged in the Landes department.

Wildfires are also raging in Spain, where two major blazes in the Madrid region have merged, according to regional emergency services.

Some 19,000 people have been evacuated in the Madrid region. Local authorities described the disaster as the “worst” wildfire in the region’s history.

To support firefighting efforts, the European Union has deployed four firefighting aircraft to Spain and three to France.

Wildfires are also burning in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.