Hundreds evacuated from homes as wildfires spread in France | Environment News

The fires have already burned 7,300 hectares (about 18,000 acres) in southwestern France.

Hundreds more people were evacuated from their homes as wildfires continued to rage out of control in southwestern France, authorities said on Friday.

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 already burned 7,300 hectares (about 18,000 acres), a total that increased by 2,000 hectares (nearly 5,000 acres) overnight, authorities said.

Another wildfire that broke out near the southeastern town of Tarascon on Thursday and burned at least 1,000 hectares (nearly 2,500 acres) 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-40 degrees Celsius in some parts.

One of the two Gironde fires was around the town of Landiras south of Bordeaux, where 4,200 hectares (nearly 10,400 acres) have been burned, roads closed and an extra 480 residents evacuated, bringing the total there to almost 1,000.

The other blaze, which has already burned 3,100 hectares (nearly 7,700 acres), 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.

About 6,000 people were evacuated from surrounding campsites on Wednesday, and another 4,000 people on Thursday morning.

Three houses and two restaurants were destroyed overnight in that area, authorities said.