Firefighters battle major wildfire in France
11 August 2022, 09:44
France is this week in the midst of its fourth heat wave of the year as the country faces what the government warned is its worst drought on record.
More than 1,000 firefighters are struggling to contain a massive wildfire which has burned a large area of pine forest in south-west France – in a region already ravaged by flames last month.
Local authorities said more than 26 square miles have burned since Tuesday in the Gironde region and neighbouring Landes as France, like other European countries, swelters through a hot and dry summer.
Temperatures are expected to reach 40C on Thursday in the region.
The blaze forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people and destroyed at least 16 houses.
Photographs released by firefighters showed flames raging through pine forests overnight, sending clouds of smoke in the air and illuminating the sky with intense orange light.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and interior minister Gerald Darmanin are due to visit the evacuated small town of Hostens on Thursday to meet firefighters, rescuers, local officials and volunteers.
Mr Darmanin said nine aircraft and two helicopters have been mobilised to fight the blaze.
The Gironde region was hit last month by major wildfires that forced the evacuation of more than 39,000 people, including residents and tourists.
France is this week in the midst of its fourth heat wave of the year as the country faces what the government warned is its worst drought on record.
