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France issues heat warnings in wildfire-hit areas, as at least 63,000 evacuated near Madrid
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- France's Regional Health Agency has distributed over 3 million FFP2 masks to wildfire-affected regions, advising vulnerable individuals to wear masks outdoors and stay indoors if smoke is present.
- Wildfires in southwest France have destroyed over 180 houses in Le Porge and burned 42,000 hectares, with firefighters creating 103 kilometers of firebreaks to contain the blaze.
- In Spain, wildfires near Madrid have burned 34,000 hectares recently, forcing over 56,000 evacuations and closures of roads, schools, and care facilities, with the largest fire in Avila province burning more than 50,000 hectares.
- Extreme heat waves and dry conditions in France and Spain are worsening fire risks, with temperatures expected to peak midweek and no rain forecast to alleviate tinder-dry landscapes.
- Air quality in affected areas, especially Bordeaux, France, has deteriorated significantly due to wildfire smoke, with pollutant levels far exceeding WHO safety thresholds, posing health risks to millions.
