PARIS: Thousands of people across southern Europe have been forced to evacuate as a new wave of wildfires spread across the region, while authorities also barred spectators from Monday’s Tour de France stage because of one of the blazes.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling fires that have scorched more than 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of land across Portugal, Spain, France, Greece and other parts of southern Europe—an area nearly three times the size of Manhattan.
The fires have intensified as temperatures climb once again, with Spain recording highs of up to 43°C. The latest outbreak comes after severe heatwaves in May and June, which were linked to thousands of deaths across Europe.
Scientists say human-driven climate change, caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels, is increasing both the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and other extreme weather events.
In southwestern France, authorities ordered around 10,500 residents living near Perpignan to leave their homes as firefighters battled a wildfire in the Pyrenees that has already burned more than 4,600 hectares.
A resident described the rapid spread of the flames and the fear experienced by those living nearby.
“The fire came within 300 metres of the houses. We were taken aback by how fast it spread, it was staggering — bordering on panic.”
