Firefighters continue to tackle massive blaze in France as temperatures soar

Firefighters in southwest France are still battling an uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris.

They are working in extreme conditions, with temperatures expected to climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday.

Météo-France said Wednesday would be the hottest and driest day of the week, with elevated wildfire danger across every region of France.

Drought now covers mainland France and Corsica, with soils nearing the record dryness reached in August 2022.

Firefighters battle a blaze outside Lanton, during wildfires in southwestern France. / Credit: AP

Smoke from the Gironde and Landes fires also pushed particulate pollution higher across both departments, regional air-quality monitors said.

The heat wave and forecast winds in the Gironde region around Bordeaux could hamper progress against a blaze that has forced 220,000 people from their homes, authorities said.

While the blaze hasn’t spread any further, they are warning with temperatures forecast to hit 40C, it could cause smoldering hot spots, carry embers across firebreaks and open new fronts beyond crews’ reach.

Investigators believe routine brush-clearing work near a high-voltage line may have sparked the inferno, even though the work appeared to comply with regulations then in force.

In Spain, firefighters have stabilized forest fires burning in the Madrid region and province of Ávila, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said.

Authorities lifted all evacuation orders in Ávila and in additional villages affected in the Madrid region.

However, 10,000 people are still under evacuation orders due to a wildfire in Castellón, in eastern Spain, that authorities said was still not under control.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged caution as much of the country was baking under a fourth heatwave that began Wednesday.

Across France and Spain, roughly 330,000 people have been driven from homes and vacation sites by wildfires.

Moha Haddad tries to put smouldering hotspots after returning to his home near Navas del Rey in Spain. / Credit: AP

Meanwhile, two firefighters have died in a wildfire on the southern Greek island of Crete, according to local authorities.

They were among more than 150 crews battling a wildfire in the region of Rethymno on Wednesday.

“They fell heroically in the line of duty to protect the lives and property of citizens and the natural environment,” the fire department said in a written statement.

The flames were being fanned by strong winds in the area, which was hampering firefighting efforts. Four helicopters and four water-dropping planes were also deployed according to the fire department.

Evacuation orders were issued for several areas near the fire.

The circumstances of the two deaths were not immediately clear, but local media said initial reports indicated that the two were trapped in their vehicle after becoming disoriented by the smoke.