Paris, Jul 24 (V7N)- More than 20,000 people have been evacuated from nearby towns and tourist areas as a massive wildfire continues to spread in southwestern France.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, the wildfire broke out on Wednesday (July 22) in an area about 50 kilometers west of Bordeaux. The fire started in the village of Saumos and later moved toward the coastal area of Lège-Cap-Ferret.
Around 800 firefighters and soldiers were deployed on Thursday (July 23) to control the blaze. Fire officials said the fire has rapidly spread across approximately 3,400 hectares of pine forest.
Local residents suspect that the wildfire may have been triggered by a brush-clearing machine, although the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
The French government has deployed three firefighting aircraft to assist ground crews in containing the fire. However, officials said changing weather conditions, high temperatures and strong winds are making firefighting efforts more difficult.
Philippe de Gonneville, mayor of Lège-Cap-Ferret, said the weather conditions are unfavorable, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and strong winds accelerating the spread of the flames.
Experts have linked the increasing frequency of wildfires in France to the effects of climate change. The country has already experienced three major wildfires since May, causing significant environmental damage.
Earlier this week, two firefighters lost their lives while battling a separate fire near Bordeaux airport. Firefighters have also raised concerns about shortages of necessary equipment during emergency operations.
END/SMA/AJ
