Firefighters battle spreading wildfires in Germany and France amid extreme heat

Emergency crews across Western Europe are continuing efforts to extinguish multiple wildfires fueled by intense heat. In southwestern France, a blaze in the Landes department scorched 1,580 hectares of pine forest after re-igniting overnight. Local authorities reported that 650 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure, though no homes were damaged.

In Germany, responders faced mixed conditions. A major fire in Baden-Württemberg near Schramberg expanded as steep terrain hindered direct access to active hotspots. Meanwhile, firefighters made progress against a 300-hectare blaze in North Rhine-Westphalia's Hürtgenwald region, advancing toward the center of the affected area. Along the German-Belgian border in the High Fens nature reserve, military helicopters supported operations to control heavy smoke, which had prompted 30 evacuations in Monschau.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau