THE WASHINGTON POST: Wildfires in Spain and France stabilize but new heat wave looms

Wildfires in France and Spain that forced the evacuation of more than 300,000 people have stabilised, but extreme heat is forecast to return in the coming days.

There were no major changes overnight in the fire in the Gironde region on France’s southwest Atlantic coast, according to the regional government. That blaze had threatened the city of Bordeaux at the weekend. In Spain, authorities reported no significant overnight flare-ups or progression in the huge fires to the south and west of Madrid.

“Yesterday we saw a positive trend, although it’s true that the situation remains very, very complex,” Spain’s Environmental Minister Sara Aagesen said in an interview with RNE.

Spain and France have been at the epicentre of Europe’s wildfire season, which started early this year and accelerated in recent weeks as successive heat waves baked vegetation, making it easier for flames to spread rapidly.

Climate change is intensifying periods of extreme heat in Europe, the fastest-warming continent. Record-breaking heat and drought have fuelled the worst start ever to the global wildfire season, with climate scientists warning that a developing El Niño could bring even harsher conditions later this summer.

The fires around Madrid have burned through about 77,000 hectares. The blaze in the province of Ávila, just outside of the capital, accounts for 50,000 hectares, making it the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history, according to Aagesen.

Around 60,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in recent days, while another 30,000 have been ordered to shelter in place, partly to keep roads clear for firefighters and soldiers. Another major Spanish fire is burning some 50 kilometres north of the coastal city of Valencia.

In France, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated from the Gironde as uncontrolled and erratic wildfires spread through region around Bordeaux. While the area of the blaze was largely stable on Monday morning, the situation remains fragile, David Annotel, who represents the national firefighters association, said on Franceinfo radio.

Wildfire risks will stay high this week across Spain and France as the summer’s fourth heat wave takes hold.

Temperatures are forecast to rise to around 40C in central and southern Spain by Tuesday, with highs of 37C in southwest France on Wednesday. Amber heat alerts are in place for a number of Spanish regions.