Wildfires put increasing pressure on France: Emergency crews battle on several fronts

France is once again experiencing a tense wildfire season. Several major fires are currently keeping emergency crews on high alert. The departments of Gironde in the southwest of the country and Var on the Mediterranean coast are particularly affected. The combination of persistent drought, high temperatures and, in some cases, strong winds creates ideal conditions for the rapid spread of flames. Even the smallest spark is enough to start major fires within a short time. In the Var department, a wildfire has destroyed several thousand hectares of vegetation within just ...