Strong winds and hot, dry weather are frustrating French firefighters' efforts to contain a huge wildfire that has raced across pine forests in the Bordeaux region for a fifth straight day, one of several scorching Europe in recent days.
The pilot of a firefighting plane dies after his plane crashed during an operation in north-east PortugalThousands of firefighters in Portugal and France are called into action with Europe engulfed by a severe heatwave
It was the first fatality in fires in Portugal so far this year, which have injured more than 160 people and forced hundreds to be evacuated from towns this week. Some 3,000 firefighters backed by water-dumping planes are battling blazes in southern France, President Emmanuel Macron said, with Greece sending firefighting equipment to help.Firefighters managed to contain one of the worst fires overnight, near the Atlantic coast resort of Arcachon which is popular with tourists from around Europe, the regional emergency service said on Saturday.
They are focusing efforts on using fire trucks to surround villages at risk and save as many homes as possible, said Charles Lafourcade, overseeing the firefighting operation., fanned by extreme temperatures and drought conditions.Firefighters in Portugal have been battling wildfires for days as the country recorded a national July high of 47C.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thousands evacuated as heat causes wildfires in Europe and north AfricaPortugal declares ‘state of contingency’ as France, Spain and Morocco also battle fires, while record heat hits China
Read more »
Europe becomes 'heatwave hotspot' as temperatures top 45CNations across southern Europe swelter through their second heatwave in as many months as temperatures go above 45C in some parts.
Read more »
‘Gas blackmail’: how Putin’s weaponised energy supplies are hurting EuropeAfter gas supplies through Nord Stream 1 stopped on Monday, European leaders plan for a future without Russian energy
Read more »
Europe could face energy rationing as ‘really tough winter’ looms, Shell boss warnsBen van Beurden says Ukraine war fallout means big rise in bills and possible need to ration supplies
Read more »
Fires, evacuations and health warnings as European temperatures hit 47 degreesBritain’s weather forecaster has issued its first red “extreme heat” warning for parts of England, while fires burn out of control across France, Spain and Portugal
Read more »