FIRES ENGULF SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE, FORCING HUNDREDS TO EVACUATE

Fri 15 July 2022:

Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes as wildfires raged out of control in southwestern France. authorities said on Friday.

In the midst of scorching heat, tinder-box conditions, and strong winds, more than 1,000 firefighters and nine water-bomber aircraft have been battling two fires, since Tuesday.

“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 fire, which has so far consumed 3,100 hectares (nearly 7,700 acres), was in the Arcachon bay area, along the Atlantic coast, not far from the “Dune du Pilat,” which is the tallest sand dune in Europe. Above this fire, dense clouds of dark smoke could be seen rising into the sky.