Forest fires in southwestern France and Spain continue their destructive work today and thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, amid a heatwave that has alerted authorities in many parts of western Europe.
About 14,000 people, permanent residents and vacationers, are affected by the evacuation in the Gironde region of France. More than 1,200 firefighters are battling to bring the flames under control.
“We have a fire that will continue to spread until it is stabilized,” Vincent Ferrier, Langone’s deputy prefect, told a news conference.
Several forest fires have broken out in France, Spain and Portugal in recent days. In the Gironde today it is estimated that 100,000 hectares of land have been given over to the flames. 38 of France’s 96 departments have also been placed on an “orange” alert due to the heat wave which is expected to peak on Monday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
In neighboring Spain, firefighters are fighting their own battle in extreme conditions after the thermometer hit 45.7 degrees Celsius today.
According to data from the Carlos III Health Institute, the week-long heat wave has caused 360 deaths linked to the unusually high temperatures.
Source: AMPE
More than 3,000 people fled their homes in the town of Michas, in the province of Malaga, which is popular with northern European tourists. Many found refuge in a local sports center. “Police cars were coming up and down the road with sirens blaring and telling everyone to leave. Just leave. No instructions on where to go,” said British pensioner John Pretty, 83.
“It’s scary … because you don’t know what’s going on,” said Belgian resident Jean-Marie Vandellanot, 68.
Thick black smoke is also rising near Casas de Miravete, in Extremadura, while helicopters are constantly dropping water. Two villages were evacuated and the fire threatens the Montfrague National Park.
Other fires also broke out in Castile and León and further north in Galicia.
The situation in Portugal is a little better today in terms of fire fronts, since the temperature has dropped slightly. In the previous days, it even reached 40 degrees. “We’ve had big fires and we don’t want them to rekindle. We’ll be on alert this weekend,” Civil Protection agency commander Andre Fernandez said.
According to Portugal’s Ministry of Health, 238 people died due to the heat from July 7 to 13. Most were elderly with underlying diseases.
On the opposite side of the Mediterranean, in Morocco, until late last night, with the help of firefighting aircraft, most of the fires were brought under control. Three outbreaks still remain uncontrolled near Laras.
In Britain, the Met Office predicts the heat wave will hit England on Monday and Tuesday and is likely to break the record temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius set in 2019. The emergency response committee is expected to meet later today.
Source: Capital
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