Heat and forest fires forced France to evacuate thousands of tourists

French authorities decided on the preventive evacuation of about four thousand people from tourist areas on the country's Atlantic coast due to the ongoing threat of the spread of a major forest fire that continues west of Bordeaux.

The situation is complicated by a new heat wave that could reactivate the fire sources again.

The evacuation affected a number of popular resort areas in the Gironde department. By order of local authorities, vacationers and staff of campsites, tourist residences, rest homes, and amusement parks located in the vicinity of the resort of Lacanau, including the Lacanau Océan area, as well as territories on both shores of Lake Lacanau, must temporarily leave the dangerous areas.

According to the regional administration, the fire has currently been contained, but it has not yet been completely extinguished. Experts warn that rising air temperatures, decreasing humidity levels, and changing weather conditions could lead to the fire spreading again.

France's national meteorological service has declared a yellow level of weather danger in the Gironde department due to the heat. According to forecasters, air temperatures in the inland areas of the region will reach 33-35 degrees Celsius.

In addition, a southeast wind is expected, while a western sea breeze is forecast along the coast, which could also affect the development of the fire situation.

The difficult situation with natural fires persists not only in France but also in other countries of southwestern Europe. According to available data, about 330 thousand people have been evacuated in France and Spain due to large-scale forest fires.

Spain, in turn, is preparing for another, already the fourth since the beginning of summer, wave of extreme heat. In a number of regions of the country, large sources of natural fires continue to operate, some of which have still not been brought under full control. According to local authorities, one of them has already become the largest forest fire in the entire history of meteorological observations in the country.

Rescue services and fire departments continue round-the-clock work to prevent further spread of the fire, while simultaneously calling on residents and tourists to observe safety requirements and follow evacuation orders.