France and Spain see respite from wildfires as new blazes erupt across Europe

France and Spain on Thursday glimpsed a reprieve from some of the worst wildfires in living memory, which have forced hundreds of thousands to flee, including Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife Amal. However, new blazes have erupted in other parts of Europe, including deadly ones in Greece, as well as in Britain, Portugal, and Turkey. Scientists say the unusual intensity of these fires highlights the growing risk as climate change dries out vegetation.

In France, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the worst was likely over with the unprecedented fire. Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas described Thursday as the first optimistic day, noting a return to normal life. Firefighters were reasonably optimistic that the blaze west of Bordeaux was no longer advancing, with hot spots reduced from six to three. The fire destroyed over 200 homes and 42,000 hectares, killing two firefighters. Smaller fires affected southern France, including one in Brignoles that forced the Clooneys to flee their estate.

In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez lifted a state of emergency for a wildfire west of Madrid after no active fronts remained. Over 60,000 people had been evacuated, but most were allowed home. In the Avila region, a fire since last week became the largest in Spain's records, burning 50,000 hectares. A new heatwave this week could reignite fires in the Madrid region. A new fire broke out Wednesday in Fermoselle near Portugal, forcing over 600 evacuations.

In Greece, three firefighters died—two on Crete and one near Gythelo. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of difficult days ahead. A fire in southwest Crete forced the evacuation of 8,000 people, some by coast guard vessels. Three hundred firefighters battled the blazes.

In eastern England, firefighters made good progress against a dynamic wildfire at Dunwich Heath that covered 150 hectares. In Scotland, a fire in the Cairngorms National Park had burned for over two weeks, destroying about 25 square kilometers.

In northern Portugal, nearly 800 firefighters battled a forest fire in Valpacos that had burned over 6,000 hectares since Tuesday. Five people were lightly injured.

In Turkey, firefighters fought forest fires near tourist areas of Antalya and the Dardanelles. Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said 105 of 110 fires were under control.