A wildfire raging in southwestern France has reached within 15km of the city of Bordeaux, prompting the mayor to warn of potential evacuations.
Wildfire Draws Near Bordeaux, Mayor Prepares for Evacuations
The mayor of Bordeaux, Thomas Cazenave, has said he is bracing for "all eventualities" as the wildfire draws near. He has prepared for a large number of evacuations, should further orders be given.
President Emmanuel Macron has described the wildfire as the "toughest since World War Two". The fire has already forced the evacuation of 220,000 people in France and over 100,000 in Spain.
Macron Warns of Ongoing Firefighting Efforts
Macron has stated that despite progress made by firefighters, temperatures are set to rise again, and the wind remains present. He has urged caution, warning that the situation remains dire.
Jerome Steffe, the mayor of Cestas, a town south of Bordeaux, has described the situation as "catastrophic". He has said that his teams have "won only a small battle" and that the risk remains from flying embers or a sudden change in wind direction.
Firefighting Efforts Hampered by Weather
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has warned that the country is going through an unprecedented fire season. He has revealed that nine out of 10 fires are human-caused, and most arise from carelessness, such as a cigarette butt or a barbecue.
Climate change is driving up temperatures worldwide, with Europe being the fastest warming continent. This has led to increased summer heatwaves, greater pressure on Europe's water supply, and more intense wildfires.
Neighbouring Spain Faces Fifth Day of National Emergency
Wildfires are also burning in several other French regions, including Var and Landes, as well as in Haute-Corse on the island of Corsica. Neighbouring Spain has entered its fifth day of a national emergency due to raging wildfires west of the capital Madrid.
The rapid expansion of the burn scar in Spain has been captured in satellite images, showing the merged blazes in the Almorox, Villa del Prado, and San Martín de Valdeiglesias areas. Local officials have warned that the region faces the "worst fires in its history".
In the coming days, residents of the affected areas can expect to see ongoing firefighting efforts, as authorities work to contain the blaze. The situation remains dire, with many still at risk from the wildfire's spread.
Source: Joy Online
