Overview
- A wildfire in the Pyrénées-Orientales has burned about 4,500–4,900 hectares and forced roughly 10,000–12,000 people from around 26–27 towns with some limited returns where flames eased.
- French authorities have deployed more than 2,000 firefighters supported by aircraft while the European Commission sent water-bombing planes and pre-positioned crews from other member states to boost the response.
- In Spain, a blaze at El Alamillo in Grazalema, Cádiz threatened hotels and homes and prompted precautionary evacuation of 109 people as helicopters and airtankers worked to contain hot spots.
- Officials confirmed on Wednesday that a 22-year-old volunteer firefighter died while fighting a forest fire in Savoie, and investigations and arrests have followed in some blazes where negligence is suspected.
- Scientists link the outbreaks to an unusually early fire season caused by record June heat and drought, the Tour de France has curtailed spectator access for safety, and authorities warn the risk of rekindling will persist while high temperatures continue.