Another 55,000 people have been evacuated from six cities in France, as wildfires that have caused devastation across the country accelerate.

The latest evacuations took place in towns south of Bordeaux, in the Gironde region.

Forest fires have devastated Europe over the past week, mainly France and Spain, where more than 330,000 people have been evacuated.

France has been the most affected, with an area of ​​42,000 hectares burned, making it one of the largest forest fires since World War II. Since the beginning of the year, some 98,000 hectares have burned throughout the country.

Captain Nicolas Braz, one of the leaders of the firefighting operation, said the fire had created “its own winds, complete with whirlwinds”, adding that it was “erratic and unmanageable”.

Dry vegetation and strong winds are causing the fire to spread, and 60 kilometers of the A63 motorway, which leads to Spain, have been closed.

In an interview published Sunday by La Tribune, French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez said “it will take a long time to control it” and until it is contained “there will be no return” for evacuated residents and tourists.

France has mobilized its military to help with the response and additional army reinforcements have been sent to assist firefighters by clearing brush and creating firebreaks.

President Emmanuel Macron said France would “rebuild” and that his government would “be there as long as necessary.”

Meanwhile, in Spain, fires continue to spread and more than 90,000 people have been evacuated from the regions near Madrid and Ávila.

Late Saturday, the evacuation of at least eight municipalities near Toledo was also ordered, although it was unclear how many people were involved.

Sunday is expected to bring high temperatures and low humidity, which could allow the fire to spread further.

The regional president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, described the situation as “the worst fire in the history of the region.”

The Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, admitted that “complex times” lie ahead. Meanwhile, Valencia authorities confirmed the death of a man in a fire.