A new wave of extreme heat has engulfed Spain and France, where temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. Massive fires are spreading rapidly, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 320,000 citizens so far.
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Spain’s National Meteorological Service has warned that extreme conditions will continue at least through Sunday, while the fire risk has been classified as “extreme.” In the country, over 100,000 people have been displaced, and fires are burning out of control west of the capital Madrid.
France is also experiencing a critical situation. The Gironde and Landes regions have been placed on yellow alert due to the heat, which is expected to peak on Wednesday and further complicate firefighting operations.
In France, around 220,000 residents have been evacuated. According to official data, more than 116,000 hectares of land have burned since the beginning of this year, and over 13,000 fire outbreaks have been recorded.
The mayor of Bordeaux, Thomas Cazenave, stressed that authorities are preparing for any scenario, as a fire front is located just 15 kilometers from the city.
During a visit to the affected areas in Gironde, French President Emmanuel Macron described the situation as “the most severe fire since World War II.”
“Temperatures will rise again, the wind continues to blow, and for this reason we must be very careful,” Macron stated.
French Interior Minister Sébastien Lecornu pointed out that nine out of ten fires are caused by human activity, mainly through carelessness, such as cigarette butts, the use of barbecues, or work without safety measures. He added that some of the fires are deliberate and that since July 6, 162 people suspected of arson have been arrested.
Meanwhile, satellite analysis shows that the fires west of Madrid have merged into a single gigantic blaze, covering over 27,000 hectares. Spanish authorities warn that the country is experiencing one of the most destructive fire seasons in its history.
Experts emphasize that climate change is raising temperatures worldwide, while Europe remains the fastest-warming continent, facing more frequent heatwaves, droughts, and increasingly intense fires.
