Tension in southwestern France over forest fires

Paris, Jul 15 (Prensa Latina) About 1,000 firefighters on Friday maintain the fight against forest fires in the southwestern French department of Gironde, where the flames have burnt 7,300 hectares of pine trees since Tuesday.

July 15, 2022
11:13

The affected sectors are Landiras and La Teste-de-Buch, where 10,000 people, including tourists, have been evacuated, according to authorities.

The scenario is challenging, as the drought joins the heat wave in France, and the winds threaten to complicate it even more over the weekend.

Experts are investigating the origin of the fires, and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin warned during a visit to the area that nine of 10 fires are usually caused by humans.

Firefighters are using technical devices and aircraft to put out the flames.

No deaths or damages to infrastructure have been reported in Landiras and La Teste-de-Buch.

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