Officials have ordered another 55,000 people from six communities in France to leave as fast-moving wildfires continue to threaten areas across the nation.

The latest departures occurred in communities south of Bordeaux within the Gironde department.

Blazes have swept through parts of Europe during the past week, hitting France and Spain hardest and prompting the removal of more than 330,000 residents so far.

France suffered the greatest damage, with 42,000 hectares scorched in one event that ranks among the largest forest fires since World War Two. Roughly 98,000 hectares have burned nationwide since January.

Firefighting leader Captain Nicolas Braz noted that the blaze now generates its own winds complete with whirlwinds, describing the situation as unpredictable and difficult to direct.

Parched plants and strong gusts continue to push the flames forward, forcing closure of a 60-kilometer stretch of the A63 motorway toward Spain.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told La Tribune on Sunday that containment will require considerable time and that residents plus visitors cannot return until the fire is fully secured.

The French military has joined the effort, sending additional troops to clear vegetation and build firebreaks alongside firefighters.

President Emmanuel Macron pledged that the country will recover and that authorities will remain present throughout the recovery period.

In Spain, fires keep advancing and have forced more than 90,000 people from zones near Madrid and Ávila.

On Saturday evening, eight towns close to Toledo received evacuation orders, though the exact number of affected residents remains unknown.

High temperatures and low humidity forecast for Sunday could allow further spread.

Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso called the event the worst fire in the region's history.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned of difficult days ahead, while València officials reported one fatality linked to the fires.