More than 200,000 people have returned to their homes after wildfires near Bordeaux devastated 42,000 hectares in the Gironde department, following days of mass evacuations amid the country's fourth heatwave in two months.
The blazes destroyed more than 180 homes in the municipality of Le Porge and forced roughly 4,000 holidaymakers from campsites and resorts. No civilians were killed or injured, though more than 330 firefighters were wounded or suffered smoke inhalation. In the Var department, a separate flare-up forced 2,500 new evacuations from the Gros Bessillon massif.
President Emmanuel Macron called for forests to be rebuilt differently in light of climate change. Portuguese Secretary of State Emídio Sousa said many Portuguese nationals lost homes and businesses but noted insurance in France is mandatory and affected residents will be compensated.