Wildfires Slow in France and Spain, but Worse May Be Ahead

Key Points:

• Firefighters in France and Spain have contained the large wildfires near Bordeaux and Madrid, but officials warn that the threat remains due to strong winds and high temperatures ahead.
• In Bordeaux, the fire was reported to have come within six miles of a factory involved in nuclear missile production, but overnight flare-ups were controlled, and two smaller fires in southern France were also contained.
• Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation around Madrid as evolving favorably, with firefighters managing hot spots amid soaring temperatures, and some evacuation orders being lifted.
• Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that the wildfires near Madrid are now "technically stabilized," allowing thousands of residents to return home.
• The European Forest Fire Information System warned that southwestern France and northern Spain would continue to experience very extreme fire conditions, with temperatures possibly exceeding 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) for several days.