Gironde wildfires pick up as French region braces for new 40C heatwave - BBC

Firefighters in France's Gironde region are battling persistent wildfires while preparing for the summer's fourth heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 40C by Wednesday.
Around 2,000 firefighters have been deployed in the Gironde, where fires have ravaged countryside between the coastline and Bordeaux; national firefighters' federation spokesman Eric Brocardi said four colleagues had died across France in recent weeks and likened the fight to "David against Goliath."
Regional prefect Sophie Brocas reported that 14 already-affected areas saw new flare-ups on Tuesday, warning "we are not in the clear," while more than 70,000 people were forced to evacuate over the past week.
Bordeaux is not currently under direct threat, though one fire came within 15km of the city on Monday; Commander Rémi Lassoureille voiced concern over the potential impact on the metropolitan area, where air quality deteriorated sharply.
Residents and tourists described an eerie, smoke-filled atmosphere in Bordeaux, with masks widely worn, ash forcing restaurant closures at the Marché des Chartrons, and shops and cafes left largely empty.
Elsewhere in the region, Spain lifted some evacuation orders allowing about 44,000 people to return, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seeing "light at the end of the tunnel" despite difficult days ahead, while 400 firefighters tackled a large blaze on three fronts in Portugal's eastern Guarda area.