Live updates: Wildfires; France and Spain braced for extreme temperatures as blazes leave areas looking like a ‘warzone’
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Wildfires in France and Spain are reaching unprecedented intensity and scale, with France experiencing its worst fires on record, creating self-feeding firestorms previously unseen in the country.
- Over 300,000 people have been evacuated across both countries, and firefighting efforts include the use of helicopters and water-scooping aircraft, although complete suppression remains challenging until weather conditions improve.
- The fires threaten notable areas such as Bordeaux's vineyards, raising concerns about potential "smoke taint" affecting future wine vintages, though current grape ripeness may mitigate immediate damage.
- Authorities report progress in controlling the largest wildfire west of Madrid, with some evacuees allowed to return home as the fire's perimeter stabilizes, but the total burned area continues to grow.
- Experts warn that climate change is driving more frequent and severe wildfires in Europe, predicting that scenarios similar to those in California and Australia could become increasingly common if fossil fuel emissions persist.
