More than 6,000 people were evacuated from campsites as firefighters tackled two forest fires in the Gironde in southwestern France. The biggest fire was in the town of Landiras, south of Bordeauxthat has closed roads and evacuated 500 residents.
The other occurred in the Arcachon Bay area with heavy dark clouds of smoke billowing into the sky.
As a result of that fire, 6,000 people were evacuated from five surrounding campsites as a precaution.
They were taken to a local exhibition center.
In the prefecture of Gironde, fireworks are banned until Monday, despite Bastille Day being celebrated on Thursday
Portugal has had similar problems with the blocking of major highways and side streets by officials in Leiria.
This was because the strong wind made it difficult to put out fires.
More than 3,000 hectares have burned down so far in Leiria.
In Leiria alone, nearly 900 firefighters were fighting three active fires, while 2,841 firefighters were fighting the fires and involved 860 vehicles across mainland Portugal.
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The highest temperature on Wednesday was recorded in central Lousa at 46.3°C, just below the 2003 record.
Retired Antonio Ramalheiro said poor forest management had exacerbated the heat wave.
He said, “It’s scary when the fire comes.
“If it gets to the house, it’s a shame…you lose everything.”
About 135 people have been largely injured since the wildfires started in Portugal last week and 800 people have been evacuated from their homes, according to the Civil Protection Authority.