French heatwave to peak as raging wildfires force thousands to evacuate

WorldEnvironment
29 Jul 2026 • 3:37 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

French heatwave to peak as raging wildfires force thousands to evacuate

  • France has warned that the latest heatwave to hit the country will peak today, with temperatures potentially reaching 44C, while Spain's heatwave is expected to continue until Sunday.
  • Raging wildfires have led to French authorities ordering 4,000 more people to leave Atlantic coast tourist sites, expanding what may be the country's largest peacetime evacuation.
  • The Gironde fire in France has burnt an area four times the size of Paris, forcing 220,000 people to leave their homes, with President Emmanuel Macron describing the situation as France's most difficult since the Second World War.
  • In Spain, over 63,000 people have been evacuated from their homes near Madrid due to wildfires, although Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said that the country is beginning to see "light at the end of the tunnel”.
  • The European Union's Crisis Management Commissioner, Hadja ⁠Lahbib, has called for increased funding for wildfires, greater focus on forest management, and enhanced public education on fire risks.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved