- Emmanuel Macron warns that ‘we have to hold out’ as fires burn near city; Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez warns of ‘difficult hours’ ahead.
- The fires in Spain have affected an area of 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres) – nearly the size of New York City.
- Spain’s state meteorological agency, Aemet, officially declared that a heatwave, the fourth of the summer, would begin on Wednesday, lasting until ‘at least’ Sunday.
- The return of searing temperatures, from today in and tomorrow in Spain, will complicate efforts to fight massive wildfires raging in the Bordeaux region and a number of sites in Spain.
- Macron confirmed that a forest fire in nearby Landes – which had forced the evacuation of more than 30,000 people – was now under control.
- Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez told his fellow citizens: “We face difficult hours, complex hours.”
Emmanuel Macron has called for resilience as wildfires continue to devastate regions in France and Spain, affecting a staggering 77,000 hectares. In France, 220,000 people have been evacuated, while 60,000 have fled in Spain, often with mere minutes to spare.15
The fires have wreaked havoc, with reports indicating that 42,000 hectares have been scorched in France alone, leading to the destruction of 240 houses. Macron confirmed that a fire in Landes, which had forced the evacuation of over 30,000 people, is now under control. However, the situation remains dire as extreme heat returns, complicating firefighting efforts.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez echoed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We face difficult hours, complex hours.” The fourth heatwave of the summer has been officially declared by Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, expected to last until at least Sunday. The combination of soaring temperatures and ongoing wildfires poses a significant challenge for both nations as they grapple with the escalating crisis.6
“The fires in Spain have affected an area of 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres) — nearly the size of New York City. Spain's state meteorological agency, Aemet, declared that a heatwave, the fourth of the summer, would begin on Wednesday and last until 'at least' Sunday.”
The Guardian
