Thousands evacuated as wildfires spread across southern Europe

PARIS: Fresh wildfires sweeping across southern Europe forced thousands of people from their homes, while one blaze in France also led authorities to bar spectators from Monday’s Tour de France stage.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling fires that have burned more than 20,000 hectares of land across Portugal, Spain, France, Greece and other countries. The blazes have intensified as temperatures climbed again, with Spain already recording 43C.

In southwestern France, authorities said 10,500 people were ordered to leave their homes near Perpignan as crews tried to contain a fire in the Pyrenees. That blaze has consumed more than 4,600 hectares. The fire threatening the Tour de France route was one of the major incidents linked to the latest heat-driven flare-up.

One resident described how quickly the flames advanced near homes. “The fire came within 300 metres of the houses. We were taken aback by how fast it spread, it was staggering — bordering on panic,” she said.

Europe is still dealing with the aftermath of heatwaves in May and June that were blamed for thousands of deaths. Scientists, it added, agree that climate change caused by human use of fossil fuels is increasing the risk and intensity of heatwaves and other extreme weather events.