France Asks EU for Help as Huge Wildfires Force 60,000 People to Leave Home

France asked the EU for emergency help — countries can share firefighting planes and crews through this system. Two wildfires in Gironde have burned an area half the size of a major city and forced 60,000 people to evacuate. Three EU water-dropping planes arrived. Interior Minister Nuñez said the main Saumos fire is spreading uncontrolled. Two firefighters died. Across France, 50,000 hectares have burned in 2026.