Published: Less than 20 min ago
Large forest fires have again flared up in France and they risk spreading further, warn representatives of the Gironde region.
“The circumstances are very difficult: the vegetation and the ground are extremely dry. There is a very high risk of new fires,” they said in a statement on Thursday.
In addition, temperatures of over 40 degrees are expected on Thursday, which increases the risk of more fires. The heat is expected to continue throughout the weekend.
During the night of Thursday, the fire brigade in Gironde tried to stop the fires from reaching the town of Belin-Belet. Since Tuesday, 10,000 people have been evacuated and 17 homes have been damaged or destroyed. 1,000 firefighters are participating in the extinguishing work, according to the local authorities.
At the moment, eight major fires are going on in different places in France. The most extensive forest fire is ongoing outside Bordeaux in southwestern France. Fires are also raging in Brittany and near Angers and Le Mans in western France.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has asked for help to put out the fires. Among other things, Sweden is to send aircraft as early as Thursday.