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France and Spain push back wildfires as another heatwave nears

Officials in Spain lifted a July 23 state of emergency for much of Toledo as fires remained active near Madrid.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Europe

Firefighters in France and Spain worked on Tuesday to contain large wildfires that have driven unprecedented evacuations across western Europe, while authorities warned that another hotter period is set to arrive from Wednesday.

According to Reuters, crews in France’s Bordeaux region contained a forest blaze overnight, and in Spain officials allowed most residents in the central Toledo province to return home after easing a state of emergency that began on July 23. Fires were still burning in the Madrid region nearby.

Reuters also noted that the fires struck areas already hit by an unusually hot and dry summer, and responders aimed to take advantage of more favorable weather before temperatures climb again.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters that the effort against the fires is nearing a turning point, while emphasizing that human-driven climate change is intensifying the heat and drought that contribute to faster-spreading, longer-lasting, and more destructive wildfires, Reuters reported.

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