And BBC South’s Joanna Kent, who was on holiday in the Cap Ferret peninsula earlier this week, recalled seeing her campsite deserted after two van loads of police told tourists they had 30 minutes to get out.
While the wildfires show no sign of abating soon, the UK Foreign Office is currently not advising against travel to France or Spain.
Éléonore Caroit, France’s minister for international partnerships, advised tourists on Saturday: “You have entire areas that are fine, you’re seeing similar phenomena in Spain and other countries. I’m in Paris and nothing is happening, and most other regions are OK, so do please come to France and do not cancel your travel plans.
“But wherever you are, please do be advised as to what might be happening.”
In Madrid the fires are in the wider region far outside the city centre – and authorities are battling to stop different fires merging.
But the flames have already shut down a facility for US space agency Nasa 37 miles (65km) west of the city.
Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso described the fire there as the “worst fire in the history of the region”, with the area facing a “perfect storm” of high temperatures, relentless wind and merging fire fronts.
