Hundreds more people have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires continue to rage out of control in southwestern France, authorities say.
A firefighter stands as a wildfire spreads in the area close to the beach of Cazaux lac, near La Teste-de-Buch, southwestern France, on July 15, 2022. Photo: AFP / Thibaud Moritz
More than 1,000 firefighters, supported by nine water-bomber aircraft, have been battling since Tuesday to master two blazes fanned by scorching heat, tinder-box conditions and strong winds.
"The situation is still adverse," said the authority for the Gironde department, where the blazes are raging.
The fires have now burnt 7300 hectares, a total that increased by 2000 hectares overnight, authorities said.
Another wildfire that broke out near the southeastern town of Tarascon on Thursday and burnt at least 1000 hectares has been stabilised, according to firefighters.
Wildfires also raged across Portugal, Spain and Croatia, burning homes and threatening livelihoods, as much of Europe baked in a heatwave that has pushed temperatures into the mid-40Cs in some parts.
One of the two Gironde fires was around the town of Landiras south of Bordeaux, where 4200 hectares have been burnt, roads closed and an extra 480 residents evacuated, bringing the total there to almost a 1000.
The other blaze, that has already burnt 3,100 hectares, was along the Atlantic Coast close to the "Dune du Pilat" - the tallest sand dune in Europe - in the Arcachon Bay area, above which heavy clouds of dark smoke were seen rising into the sky.
Around 6,000 people were evacuated from surrounding campsites on Wednesday, and another 4000 people early on Thursday.
Three houses and two restaurants were destroyed overnight in that area, authorities said.
- Reuters