10,000 evacuated as wildfire spreads in southern France — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from wildfire-affected areas in southwestern France as authorities work to contain a blaze that has burned around 2,000 hectares of land. According to Reuters, the wildfire broke out near Arcachon Bay, one of France’s popular tourist destinations, forcing many tourists staying at holiday camps to leave the area. About 500 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blaze, which has spread west of Bordeaux. Local authorities described the situation as challenging but said no deaths or injuries had been reported so far. The wildfire comes amid repeated heatwaves, drought and water shortages affecting parts of France and southern Europe. Available figures show that wildfires across Europe since the start of this year have affected an area larger than the average annual burned area recorded over the past two decades.