‘Everything depends on how firefighters get on today,’ says Gironde senator
Firefighters have worked overnight to contain raging blazes across southwestern France.
While the situation appears to have been contained, the situation still remains difficult according to Nathalie Delattre, senator for Gironde which covers the city of Bordeax.
“Everything will depend on how the firefighters on the ground get on,” she told BFM TV on Tuesday.
(Getty)
Maira Butt28 July 2026 08:58
Prince William issues statement after ‘devastating wildfires’ in France, Spain and UK
The Prince of Wales took to social media on Monday evening to say his thoughts were “with everyone affected” and that he was “deeply grateful to the firefighters, emergency services and volunteers working tirelessly in extraordinarily difficult conditions”.
In a post on X, William said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires across France, Spain and the UK.
Maira Butt28 July 2026 08:44
Watch: Macron says France facing ‘most difficult time since WW2’Macron says France facing ‘most difficult time since WW2’
Maira Butt28 July 2026 08:22
Snow in Athens while France is on fire: The images that lay bare contrast in extreme weather across Europe
In Greece, an atmospheric shift brought a rare dusting of late-July snow to Mount Olympus.
Athens saw torrential rain bring down utility lines and scaffolding, suspending operations of the capital’s suburban rail network.
Maira Butt28 July 2026 08:02
Full story: Huge wildfires rage in France and Spain as firefighters race against time before next 40C heatwave
Emergency services tackling massive wildfires in Spain and France are in a race against time to get the blazes under control before another 40C heatwave hits Europe this week.
The crisis is expected to intensify further with temperatures set to hit 40C in Spain and France within days, according to the meteorological agencies of both countries. The soaring temperatures come amid warnings the wildfires in France could burn for weeks, if not months.
Maira Butt28 July 2026 07:40
Watch: Spanish firefighters battle wildfire in Castellon provinceSpanish firefighters battle wildfire in Castellon province
Maira Butt28 July 2026 07:20
France warns wildfires could burn for ‘several months’
French officials warned the raging wildfires could burn for weeks if not months before they are fully extinguished.
Lieutenant Colonel David Annotel from the National Federation of Firefighters of France told RTL that it would take “many weeks, probably several months” before authorities could declare the fire in the south-west completely extinguished.
Emmanuel Macron has pledged the government’s full support in responding to one of the largest disasters faced by France since the Second World War.
“We will be there, and together we are going to win this battle, and we will also be there over the long term,” he said.
He added that when the blaze is extinguished “we’ll have to replant and rebuild a different forest because this forest is not the same”.
Stuti Mishra28 July 2026 07:02
Mapped: Which areas in France and Spain are affected by raging wildfires
Stuti Mishra28 July 2026 06:40
Macron pledges support on visit to fire zone, vows: ‘We will win this battle together’
French president Emmanuel Macron urged fire crews to “stay strong” as they battled to bring a monster wildfire under control.
He warned that the fight will take time. “We will win this battle together,” he said.
On a visit to a coordination center for the massive firefighting effort in southwest France, Mr Macron heard how the blaze raging since last week has been wildly unpredictable, transforming at times into a self-feeding fire storm as it burned through an area four times the size of Paris and forced 220,000 people to flee their homes.
“We’re facing a completely unprecedented fire,” Mr Macron said, describing the situation as France’s worst fire-related crisis since World War II.
He praised firefighting teams who stopped the inferno’s progression yesterday after days of spreading flames that edged toward the wine region city of Bordeaux. But with woodlands still smoldering, he and other government officials cautioned that the battle isn’t yet won, with forests turned tinder-dry by successive heat waves this year and another forecast for this week.
“The weeks ahead will be hard. We must hold firm,” he said.
Emmanuel Macron, left, visits the departmental fire and rescue operational center (CODIS) in Bordeaux, France (AP)
Stuti Mishra28 July 2026 06:20
Photos: Charred homes left behind as wildfire continues raging in Spain
View of the burned El Ancla jetty at the San Juan Reservoir after a wildfire in Pelayos de la Presa, Madrid Community, Spain (AFP/Getty)
Camping La Ardilla Roja is burnt out next to Pantano de San Juan following wildfires (Getty)
Serengeti bar is burnt out in Pantano de San Juan following wildfires (Getty)
Camping La Ardilla Roja is burnt out next to Pantano de San Juan following wildfires (Getty)
Stuti Mishra28 July 2026 06:00