A WILDFIRE continued to rage near the town of Lege Cap-Ferret on France’s Atlantic coast yesterday after triggering the evacuation of more than 10,000 people in the country’s south-west the previous night.

Local authorities said the fire had spread over more than 4,900 acres, though no injuries have been reported.

The Gironde prefecture said that some 500 firefighters had been deployed to tackle the flames and bring the fire under control, as “the situation remains unfavourable.”

As a precautionary measure, more than 10,000 people have been evacuated, including many tourists staying at eight holiday camps and camp sites in the region south-west of Bordeaux. In addition, more than 1,000 residents living in residential areas along the forest edge have also been evacuated.

Nine local authorities have opened reception centres for evacuees, with more than 2,500 people taking shelter there, the prefecture said.

Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires.

–—CONTINUES ONLINE–—

Following a succession of heatwaves that started even before the summer, wildfires have raged across France in recent weeks, devastating large areas of land amid record temperatures and dry weather.

Plants and vegetation are under severe water stress, adding to the danger of fires.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, more than 12,500 wildfires have broken out since the beginning of the year and almost 44,000 hectares have already burned.