Paris, August 10 (BNA) Forest fires swept the Gironde region in southwestern France on Wednesday, destroying homes and forcing 10,000 residents to evacuate, some of whom crept onto rooftops as the flames approached.
Black and orange skies, darkened by forest smoke and lit by flames, were seen across the area as fires continued to burn despite the efforts of firefighters backed by water-bombing aircraft.
Reuters reported that the fires, which destroyed about 6,200 hectares (15,320), have now crossed the neighboring Landes region.
France, like the rest of Europe, has been experiencing successive heat waves this summer and its worst drought ever. Dozens of wildfires have been burning across the country, including at least eight major fires.
More than 57,200 hectares have caught fire so far in France this year, nearly six times the full-year average for the 2006-2021 period.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanen said Sweden and Italy are among the countries preparing to send aid to France.
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