Firefighters in Europe are working around the clock to tackle major wildfires in France and Spain.
More than 300,000 people have been forced to evacuate across both countries.
Multiple fires burn in Spain
In Spain wildfires have been burning in the Madrid region, 50 km from the capital. Another fire is spreading in the Valencia region where weather conditions are making the operation more intense.
The country’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez has been visited affected areas near Valencia where around 6,500 hectares have been burt.
Crisis meetings in France
Meanwhile in France, 42,000 hectares have been burnt in the South West of the country. Another fire is ongoing in the Gironde region, 9 miles south of Bordeaux.
The number of firefighters mobilised to the Gironde fire stands at 2,500. It has been reported that the fire has caused injuries to 84 personnel.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting to discuss the country’s response to the wildfires.
Temperatures in the country are expected to reach up to 40C.
The EU’s Commissioner for crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, told the BBC: “Forecasters are predicting, unfortunately, another heatwave so we can expect other wildfires.”
“Last year, one million hectares burned during the summer and so we are expecting to face another historical, sad record because the season has started earlier in the year.”
International response
Firefighters and planes from Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Portugal have been sent to respond to the fires in France and Spain.
