A handful of people have been arrested as firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have ravaged 42,000 hectares of south-west France and spread into parts of the Bordeaux metropolitan area.
More than 220,000 people in the Gironde region have been evacuated over the past week in what has been France's largest peacetime evacuation. While many have sought refuge in evacuation centres, a handful of people have instead found themselves in police custody.
Arrests for Exploitation and Theft
A man was arrested after allegedly posing as a psychologist offering support to those affected by the fires in exchange for payment, local police told Sky News. Two men were arrested several days ago on suspicion of stealing food and supplies intended for those affected by the wildfires, the broadcaster reported.
Officers have been stationed outside evacuation centres and fire-ravaged areas to keep people safe and ensure restricted zones are protected.
Weather Conditions Remain Unfavourable
Although the regional prefecture said the wildfires remain stabilised, with several flare-ups brought under control overnight, officials said weather conditions remain unfavourable today. Temperatures could climb to a scorching 42C in Bordeaux, national weather service Météo-France said.
Météo-France has warned that all regions in France face a high fire risk today, which it said would be the hottest and driest day of the week. In its latest forecast, the weather service said temperatures could reach 42C in parts of the Gironde and Landes regions.
Firefighters Under Pressure
Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for France’s national firefighters' federation, told broadcaster BFM yesterday that crews are at a point of fragility. We will continue attacking this fire despite the forecast rise in temperatures, he said.
