A fast-moving wildfire in southwestern France has forced the evacuation of around 12,000 people, including tourists, from campsites and homes near the Atlantic coast. The blaze, which has scorched 2,400 hectares of land west of Bordeaux, is being battled by 500 firefighters, though no injuries have been reported. The fire, located near the Arcachon Bay area, a popular tourist destination, spread rapidly overnight, prompting authorities to close access to the affected regions.
In neighboring Spain, authorities are still working to contain fires that have burned over 32,000 hectares in Guadalajara, one of the country’s largest blazes on record. The country is bracing for its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to reach 47°C. Meanwhile, in Italy, a 59-year-old firefighter died after falling ill while battling a large wildfire near San Cataldo in Sicily. Authorities reported over 350 fires on the island, with ten major blazes leading to precautionary evacuations.
France’s Gironde region remains under a red alert, with restrictions on vehicle use in forested areas and road closures in place. The region has been ravaged by wildfires during a series of unusual and prolonged heatwaves, which scientists warn are worsening due to climate change. The fires have also been linked to thousands of deaths across Europe this year.
In Sicily, authorities paid tribute to the fallen firefighter, with the Italian Interior Minister calling him a hero. Meanwhile, in Spain, a recent blaze in Almería killed 13 people, including seven Britons, in one of the country’s deadliest wildfires. The fires in Spain and Italy have been attributed to human causes, including arson and extreme weather conditions.