As hundreds fled the wildfires, France ordered the evacuation of the Cape Ferret peninsula.

French authorities have ordered the complete evacuation of the Cape Ferret peninsula (Lège-Cap Ferret) in southwestern France, with hundreds of people fleeing the area by boat.

The tourism hot spot is winding down as firefighters battle days of wildfires in the Gironde region.

The fire that started in Saumos on Tuesday has burned 8,700 hectares (about 21,500 acres) and continues to grow.

Meanwhile, the Spanish government declared a national state of emergency as wildfires raged in several areas near the capital, Madrid.

Two firefighters died battling a blaze near Bordeaux airport on Tuesday, and officials said Friday morning there were no new injuries.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday night that the wildfire situation in the country is “extremely tense” – specifically referring to the Gironde region.

Macron said that he asked for help from the European Union and said that the country would soon provide support with planes from Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The head of state, Sophie Brocas, ordered the “final phase” of evacuations early Friday morning.

Ferries are being run from four piers to others at 07:00 and 10:00 local time (06:00 BST and 09:00 BST) while people are being told to leave the area on the main road to Bordeaux.

In Spain, firefighters are battling wildfires not far from Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlasca declared a national emergency as fires raged in Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeglesias and Ávila Burgohondo in the Madrid region.