Firefighters in France and Spain are racing to contain the worst wildfires in living memory before a fresh heatwave brings scorching temperatures to western Europe. The wildfires have torn through vast forest areas, incinerating properties and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. A new heatwave is expected to hit France from Tuesday and Spain from Wednesday, prompting firefighters to work tirelessly to bring the infernos under control.
In France, firefighters are "on the offensive" according to commander Eric Pitault. A wildfire near Bordeaux has affected 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres), forced 220,000 people to flee, and destroyed 240 houses. Despite overnight flare-ups, the burnt area has not increased.
In Spain, 60,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to fires that have consumed 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres). Evacuated locals are waiting to return to their properties and pets, but the Guardia Civil gendarmerie is blocking their return due to the risk of smoke inhalation.
Europe has been experiencing successive heatwaves and a major drought this year, attributed to human-caused climate change. Scientists warn that extreme heat has created tinderbox conditions, drying out vegetation that grew vigorously during earlier mild weather.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the fires "the most painful expression of a climate emergency," while French President Emmanuel Macron said, "The coming weeks will be tough and we have to hold out." The EU's crisis management chief warned that conditions in other European countries could spark new fires, straining already limited resources.
