France and Spain remain on high alert as a fourth heatwave of the summer complicates efforts to tackle devastating wildfires, with temperatures expected to reach the low 40s Celsius. Authorities expressed cautious optimism after making some progress overnight but warned against complacency, as worsening weather conditions raised fears of fires reigniting.
Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the next 12 hours would be “decisive” for a large wildfire burning near Madrid. In Greece, two firefighters died battling a blaze on the southern island of Crete, where gale-force winds fanned several fires. The victims were trapped in their fire engine in the foothills of a mountain near Rethymno.
In France, a wildfire near the seaside resort of Lanton was brought under control, but a fresh flare-up was reported there and in the Lège-Cap Ferret area. North of Lanton, firefighting aircraft dropped seawater as a line of fire trucks and volunteers stretched along the forest road. “I’m 67 years old and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said volunteer Jean-Claude Bonnet. “The worst part is seeing the animals that have been burnt to death by the side of the road.”
In Spain, authorities evacuated seven towns and villages in the Zamora region after a new blaze escalated to level 2 risk. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of solidarity, noting that Romania and Greece extended their firefighting missions and that Poland would join from Saturday.
Significant wildfires were also reported on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Paros. The ongoing crisis underscores the severity of Europe's summer wildfire season, exacerbated by repeated heatwaves.
