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French President Pledges Support On Visit To Fire Zone, Vows: ‘We Will Win This Battle Together’
French President Emmanuel Macron visited a fire coordination centre in southwest France on Monday, praising firefighters for halting the advance of a huge wildfire and pledging continued support, saying "We will win this battle together." He described the blaze, which has forced 220,000 people to flee since last week, as an "unprecedented fire" and France's worst fire-related crisis since the Second World War, while warning that the fight is far from over as forests remain tinder-dry and hot weather looms again.
Thousands of firefighters and aircraft dropping water and retardant worked to contain the fire, which had burned an area four times the size of Paris and came within 15 kilometres of Bordeaux before crews using earth movers cut firebreaks to halt its spread. Forecasts of temperatures above 35C from Tuesday raised fears of renewed flare-ups, and authorities discouraged tourists from visiting the Gironde region and banned holiday camps for children and disabled people ahead of the peak August season. Around a dozen countries have sent aid to France and neighbouring Spain, where separate wildfires near Madrid have also raged; together the fires have displaced more than 330,000 people.
In short
- Macron visits southwest France to back firefighters battling a huge wildfire
- Blaze forced 220,000 to flee; called worst crisis since WWII
- Spain also fighting fires; over 330,000 displaced across both countries
Explained simply
France is experiencing its worst wildfire crisis since the Second World War, with a massive fire in the southwest that has forced around 220,000 people to evacuate their homes. The blaze has burned an area roughly four times the size of Paris and came dangerously close to Bordeaux, a major city.
The fire has been intensified by unusually hot and dry conditions. Thousands of firefighters and water-dropping aircraft have worked to contain it, and neighbouring countries have sent assistance to help tackle both this fire and separate wildfires burning in Spain, which together have displaced more than 330,000 people across both nations.
The danger remains as forecasts predict temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius in the coming days, which could cause the fire to reignite and spread further. Authorities have restricted access to the affected region and banned children's camps during what is normally the peak holiday season, reflecting how serious the situation has become.
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