Heat waves with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius have turned parts of Europe into areas of high fire risk. Huge wildfires are raging in France and Spain, forcing more than 300.000 people to flee their homes as firefighters battle fast-moving flames
Europe is facing one of the most difficult waves forest fires in the last two decades. France and Spain they are fighting a fire that has engulfed huge areas, while extreme heat and drought have made the situation even more difficult.
More than 300.000 people had to leave their homes because of the fires that are spreading uncontrollably through forests and agricultural areas.
In France, the region of Gironde (Gironde) near Bordeaux was the hardest hit, where the fire consumed more than 420 square kilometers in just a few days - which is approximately four times the area of Paris.
The fire approached about 15 kilometers from Bordeaux, one of the most famous French cities and the center of the wine region.
Experts warn that the fires have become so intense that they are creating their own weather conditions.
In certain areas, so-called fire storms have formed - rare occurrences in which the heat from the fire raises huge amounts of smoke, ash and water vapor high into the atmosphere.
When such clouds develop sufficiently, thunderstorms can form that produce lightning and cause new foci. At the same time, unpredictable winds make fire control even more difficult.
The French authorities also use special firefighting aircraft, among which are the "Canader" aircraft, which can capture around 6.000 liters of water in just 12 seconds and throw it directly onto the line of fire.
Planes with retardant fly in continuous cycles while crews on the ground try to stop the flames from spreading.
However, local officials warn that resources are not enough.
"We don't have enough people, we don't have enough trucks, and I don't think France has enough capacity either," said Jean-Luc Gleyze, president of the area affected by the fires.
Spain was not spared either. The fires in the vicinity of Madrid, according to the local authorities, represent the largest fire event in the history of that region.
Francisco Martin, the representative of the Spanish government in Madrid, said that it was "by far the biggest fire in the history of the Madrid area".
The fires around Madrid together burned about 770 square kilometers, an area larger than the city of Madrid itself.
Experts say that this year's fires have been further aggravated by the consequences of climate change.
Longer periods of extreme temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds create ideal conditions for the rapid spread of fire.
Meteorologists warn that the coming days could bring further deterioration, as new periods of high temperatures, dry air and stable weather conditions that favor the development of fires are expected.
Source: BBC
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