Major wildfires in southwestern France and central-western Spain are showing signs of cooling, but firefighting forces from several European countries are still working to contain the flames. Officials worry that severe heatwaves could heighten the risk of new fires breaking out.
In the Gironde region and the Var hill country in southern France, large fires have ravaged tens of thousands of hectares before being temporarily brought under control. Authorities say the largest wildfire in France since 1949 has been contained, though it has not yet been fully extinguished.
In Spain, wildfires near the capital Madrid have subsided, allowing many evacuees to return home. However, firefighting crews are still dealing with flare-ups in provinces such as Leon and Caceres.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world. Scientists warn that rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and strong winds are making southern Europe, particularly France and Spain, much more fire-prone. The number of summer days with favorable conditions for wildfires has more than doubled since the early 1980s.
