Spain and France battle wildfires as new heatwave looms

Spain and France are grappling with severe wildfires as a new heatwave intensifies the crisis. Meteorologists predict temperatures will soar again, increasing the risk of fires to "very high or extreme" levels across much of Spain.

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The next few days will continue this situation or may even worsen.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska emphasized that Monday and Tuesday are "absolutely crucial days" for controlling the blazes. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged citizens to exercise extreme caution, warning of "difficult and complicated hours" ahead. The government plans to allow some residents evacuated near Madrid to return home, including reopening a campsite that housed 4,500 people and permitting the elderly to go back to their houses in another area.

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Monday and Tuesday are absolutely crucial days.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron was set to visit the southwestern region devastated by two major fires. His office announced he would chair a crisis meeting to discuss the wildfires. French authorities reported that a large fire in the Gironde region had stabilized overnight. However, holiday camps, including scout trips and camps for people with disabilities, were banned in the region.

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I ask for understanding and urge all citizens of the country to act with extreme caution and take all possible precautions. Difficult and complicated hours await us.

The European Union is sending additional aircraft to Spain to aid firefighting efforts. Crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib stated that nine aircraft are currently deployed, with two more joining from the EU's strategic reserve. While the largest fires west of Madrid have slowed their spread, they remain active, according to the regional government. The situation in France's Gironde region is described as stable.

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Nine aircraft are currently deployed, and tomorrow there will be 11 – they will be taken from our European strategic reserve.