France braces for new evacuations as Spain eases wildfire restrictions
Residents in Spain began returning home after some of the worst wildfires in decades, while France ordered thousands to evacuate amid fears a looming heatwave would hinder containment efforts. The fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced tens of thousands to flee in both countries.
Spanish residents forced to flee some of the most devastating wildfires in living memory began returning to their homes on Tuesday, but thousands more were ordered to leave in France over fears that an approaching heatwave would prevent the containment of fires that have ravaged the country's southwest.
Spain's interior ministry announced the end of evacuation orders for 15 municipalities. In the evacuated village of Navas del Rey, municipal authorities estimated that around 50 homes were destroyed and another 50 damaged. One resident who returned to find her home only slightly scorched called it a miracle. The mayor of nearby Pelayos de la Presa described the scene as a "war zone."
In contrast, around 4,000 people in France were forced to cut short holidays in the seaside village of Lacanau in the Gironde region after campsites were evacuated as a precaution. The largest French wildfire since 1949 has raged west of Bordeaux, forcing more than 220,000 people to flee, destroying 240 homes. The government's top official in Gironde said the fire had stabilized, allowing nearly 60,000 evacuees to return, but noted that 14 blazes had reignited.
The French government will hold a meeting on Thursday to address concerns of businesses, as about 130,000 employees are unable to work due to the fires.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared that the country was "turning the tide," but the mayor of Robledo de Chavela was more cautious, calling the fire "a sleeping kitten" at night and "a mighty lion" during the day. The Spanish fires have consumed 77,000 hectares and forced 60,000 people to flee.
Europe has been gripped by successive heatwaves and a major drought this year, which scientists attribute to human-caused climate change. Temperatures up to 42°C are forecast in France and Spain. Firefighting commanders warned that conditions are similar to those when the fire started.
