Thousands evacuated as wildfires ravage southern France
A massive wildfire broke out in southwestern France on Wednesday, engulfing a coastal pine forest and forcing thousands to evacuate. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze.
Widespread evacuations and firefighting efforts
A large wildfire erupted around midday on Wednesday, July 22, in southwestern France, rapidly spreading through a seaside pine forest. Local authorities ordered the evacuation of thousands of people to protect residents from the advancing flames. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze, utilizing both ground and aerial resources.
Striking images from the scene
Photographers from the AFP news agency captured dramatic and alarming scenes from the affected areas. Images show a helicopter dropping water on a burning area in Ponteves, southeastern France, where the fire flared up again on July 22. Another photo depicts firefighters trying to extinguish burning trees using wildland water trucks near Le Porge, southwestern France, on July 23.
Residents watched skies illuminated by wildfires in Le Porge early on July 23. Firefighters continued to monitor the situation and extinguish remaining hotspots. One image shows a horse in a field with smoke rising from a rekindled fire in Ponteves. Another photograph shows a garden table at a house in a burnt area, also in Ponteves.
Ongoing situation
The fire started around midday on Wednesday and continued to rage on Thursday, July 23. The exact size of the burned area and the number of casualties have not yet been determined, as authorities continue to battle the flames and assess the damage.
