Madrid [Spain], July 17: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that his country is experiencing its most extensive forest fires since World War II, as fire services in France, Spain and the United Kingdom battled severe forest fires.
With visiting firefighters working to extinguish a blaze in the famous Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, Macron said this summer will be "tough," with records already broken before the peak wildfire season.
Authorities in Spain meanwhile said a fire in Aragon has already destroyed around 4,500 hectares of woodland, scrubland and agricultural land. The regional government in the north-east of the country said the fire near the village of Ores is still out of control. Several nearby villages have been evacuated, with media reports suggesting around 500 people are affected. Authorities expect it to take several days to bring the flames under control.
A wildfire in a national park in the Scottish Highlands has also led to the evacuation of homes, campsites and other facilities. Britain's PA news agency reported that the fire broke out on Wednesday morning.
Source: Qatar Tribune
