France battles largest wildfire in decades
France battles largest wildfire in decades
Firefighters' efforts to contain France's biggest wildfire in almost 80 years dragged on into a third day on Thursday (August 7), which has so far ravaged over 37,000 acres in Aude, an area larger than Paris.

The fire has claimed one life in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, destroyed at least 25 homes, and displaced residents and tourists.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called the situation unprecedented as he visited the area:
"It was very important for us to be there because the disaster is one of unprecedented scale. It was very important because hundreds, thousands of people feel that their most precious possessions, their homes, their vineyards, have been affected."

Nearly 2,000 firefighters are battling the blaze, and officials say it's spreading rapidly at just over 3 miles per hour.

Scientists say the Mediterranean region's hotter, drier summers increase the risk of wildfires.

Nearby Spain is enduring a prolonged heatwave with temperatures reaching 43°C (109.4°F), fueling its own wildfires.

In Tarifa, a blaze sparked by a caravan fire reignited because of gusty winds and high temperatures.

In Portugal, over 42,000 hectares have burned this year, with more than half of the damage occurring in the past two weeks.

Once fires start, plentiful dry vegetation and strong winds in the region can cause them to spread rapidly and burn out of control.