France and Spain see wildfire relief, but extreme heat threatens reignition; more than 300,000 displaced

After a week of intensive work, firefighting forces have brought the large fires in the Bordeaux area under control, although the fire is not yet completely extinguished.

About 42,000 hectares of forest have been scorched by the flames, causing 220,000 residents and holidaymakers to be evacuated, but now some of them have been allowed to return to their homes.

Temperatures that could reach 42 degrees Celsius and dry winds add to the concern about a possible reactivation of hotspots. To cope with the situation, France has accepted help from European partners, while the total burned area in the country this year exceeds 116,000 hectares.

In Spain as well, fires in Ávila, Madrid and Toledo remain present, but conditions have improved, enabling tens of thousands of people to return to 15 affected municipalities.

The main fire has destroyed over 77,000 hectares, while the national total of scorched land this season has surpassed 170,000 hectares. A new heatwave is expected to keep risks of fire spread at maximum levels.

The season has also seen loss of life, with at least 14 victims in Spain, the vast majority of them from the devastating fire in Almeria.