Spain and France Fight Wildfires Before New Heatwave
Wildfires spread across central Spain and southwest France on Monday. Hundreds of thousands of people had to evacuate.
More than 300,000 people have been displaced. At least one death has been reported.
France's evacuation is centered on the Gironde region near Bordeaux. It is the country's biggest peacetime displacement since World War II.
Firefighters in eastern Spain worked to contain the blazes. France's civil security agency said the fires remain far from controlled.
Spain sent thousands of workers and firefighting planes to battle fires near Madrid and in Castellón province. Greece, Italy and Portugal also sent aircraft to help.
Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska called Monday and Tuesday crucial days. He said leaders need this time to contain fires before temperatures rise again.
Temperatures are expected to rise again from Wednesday onwards. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez asked citizens to use extreme caution. A new heatwave is approaching and could make firefighting harder.
Key Terms 3
- Gironde region An area in southwest France near the city of Bordeaux.
- Interior Minister A government official in charge of internal security and safety.
- civil security agency A French government group that handles emergencies like fires.