But the fire service has also said it was “reasonably optimistic” the blaze was no longer progressing.
The wildfire has killed two firefighters and destroyed more than 200 homes and 42,000ha.
Smaller fires were affecting other parts of southern France, including one in Brignoles on Wednesday that forced George Clooney and his wife Amal and their 9-year-old twins to leave their estate.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, lifted a state of emergency over a wildfire west of Madrid, after the prefect’s office said there were no longer any “active fronts”.
More than 60,000 people had been evacuated during the worst of the fire, but by Thursday most had been allowed to return home.
In the adjoining Avila region, another inferno raging since last week has become the biggest since Spain’s records began in 1961, burning 50,000ha.
Spain is experiencing a new heatwave this week, which officials warned could reignite fires in the Madrid region.
Near Spain’s border with Portugal, a new fire broke out on Wednesday in Fermoselle, forcing the evacuation of more than 600 people, emergency services said.
Three firemen have died in Greece battling blazes there: two on the island of Crete, and the other near Gythelo on the mainland.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of “difficult days” ahead as the summer heat persisted and Greece’s usual forest fire season came into full force.
The fires in southwest Crete forced the evacuation of 8000 people, some by coast guard vessels, as it threatened the village resort of Agia Galini. Three hundred firefighters were combating the flames.
UK firefighters were battling a “difficult and dangerous” wildfire on England’s eastern coast that was threatening properties, including a holiday park for caravans, leading to evacuations.
Regional chief fire officer Jon Lacey said it was the largest wildfire he could remember.
In northern Portugal, in Valpacos, nearly 800 firemen were battling a forest fire, the civil protection service said.
Five people had been injured, including three firemen and a police officer, it added.
Burning since Tuesday, the fire has consumed more than 6000ha, said the service.
Firefighters in Turkey were battling forest fires near the popular tourist regions of Antalya and the Dardanelles.
Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said all but five of 110 fires sparked across the country were under control.
Turkey’s forestry agency said “intensive operations” on the ground and from the air were tackling blazes along the frequent fire routes along coastal areas from Antalya to Alanya, and from Mugla to Fethiye.
– AFP