Two French firefighters died on Tuesday while battling a wildfire that broke out near Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, according to reports. The fire, which originated from a brush fire near airport parking lots, prompted the deployment of emergency services.
This incident occurred as France grapples with an unprecedented number of wildfires this year, with President Emmanuel Macron stating the country has not seen such fire activity since World War II. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 11,000 fires have been registered across the nation.
Satellite data indicates that by mid-July, over 42,000 hectares of land had burned in France, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. The situation is exacerbated by record-breaking temperatures across Europe, which is heating up at twice the global average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This trend is leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves, increased strain on water resources, and a higher risk of severe wildfires.
Also on Tuesday, a separate large fire erupted in the Var department in southeastern France. Described as "out of control and evolving rapidly" by the PSFDF volunteer association, this blaze required the deployment of 500 firefighters and rescuers. Approximately 150 people have been evacuated from the affected area.
Europe's record summer temperatures have fueled major wildfires across the continent, including in Spain, where at least 13 fatalities have been reported. A significant wildfire north of Madrid alone destroyed around 29,000 hectares of land.