The fires that have forced thousands of people to flee from tinder-dry pine forests are continuing to burn. The fires, which broke out on July 12 and have been burning steadily since then, are near prized vineyards and the Arcachon maritime basin, famous for its oysters and beaches. The French Interior Ministry says that more than 200 reinforcements are headed to the region to help fight the flames.
Two wildfires are raging in southwestern France. A thousand firefighters are trying to contain them with the use of water-dumping planes. The fires have consumed more than nine thousand acres of forest and grassland. But firefighters have found it difficult to reach the heart of the fires because of high winds and inaccessibility. At least six thousand people have been evacuated from villages and campgrounds, but more are expected to evacuate before the end of the week.
The French Fire Service has deployed more than 1,000 firefighters to battle the blazes, and nine water-bomber aircraft are helping them. But the situation remains dire, with both fires burning nearly four thousand hectares in the Gironde department, where over 37,000 people have been forced to flee. Meanwhile, in Portugal, the Civil Protection Agency reported that ten fires are still raging, destroying homes, threatening livelihoods, and threatening human life.
The fire in southwestern France is one of the worst in recent history. It has been burning for more than five days. As temperatures continue to soar to dangerous levels, firefighters have been unable to put it out. They have been forced to evacuate four villages and thousands of people. But it is unlikely that the fires will burn out for long, as many people are trying to return home.
The fires in southwestern France are worsening as the temperatures continue to rise. Heatwave alerts have been issued for 15 departments in the southwest of France, with temperatures expected to top thirty degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, major cities throughout Western France have recorded new heat records. However, they are battling to control the blaze. The wildfires will have to be contained in order for firefighters to do their jobs effectively.
Spain is also dealing with wildfires this week. As of Monday, 20 wildfires were burning out of control. Some of them were in Galicia and Spain’s north west. The blaze in Andalusia destroyed 2,000 acres of forest and forced the evacuation of 3,000 residents. In addition, in Spain, wildfires have killed at least one firefighter.
