Wildfires burn nearly 300,000 acres in France and Spain as heat wave approaches
Wildfires in France and Spain have burned 300,000 acres and forced mass evacuations See how extreme heat and fire-cloud storms are fueling a growing crisis
Wildfires are spreading across parts of France and Spain, where officials say nearly 300,000 acres have burned and close to 300,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
The largest blazes began in southwestern France and have since affected areas in Spain as well. Fire crews in France said conditions were stable overnight, but authorities warned that the situation could worsen as a new heat wave brings higher temperatures and dry conditions later in the week.
Experts said the fires have been unusually difficult to control because of extreme weather and rare firecloud behavior known as pyrocumulonimbus, which can create its own thunderstorms and strong winds. French officials also said the disaster is adding pressure to local economies through evacuation, firefighting, and recovery costs.