Firefighters battle wildfire as tens of thousands evacuated near Bordeaux

Figure caption, Watch: Firefighters tackle wildfires in Ares and aerial footage shows destruction in Le PorgeByHugh Schofield, France correspondent and Michael Sheils McNameeFirefighters are battling to contain wildfires burning near the city of Bordeaux as tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the surrounding region. France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the situation in the region remained "very unfavourable" and the fire was "moving erratically towards" Bordeaux, though officials downplayed the possibility of evacuation. Overnight into Sunday, about 55,000 people were evacuated from villages to the south of the city in the Gironde region, famed for its vineyards. Wildfires have raged across Europe over the past week, primarily in France and Spain, where more than 330,000 people have been evacuated. France has been one of worst affected regions, with an area of 42,000 hectares burnt in the south-west, making it one of the largest forest fires since World War Two. About 98,000 hectares have burnt across the country since the start of the year. In total, more than 220,000 people have been evacuated in the south-west of the country. Captain Nicolas Braz, one o...