French firefighters brace for returning heatwave as Gironde blazes stall

Firefighters in southwestern France are taking advantage of a brief pause in wildfire expansion near Bordeaux, though officials warn that returning extreme heat could rekindle blazes. In the Gironde department, over 42,000 hectares have burned, forcing the evacuation of 220,000 residents who authorities say cannot return until the fires are fully contained. Nationwide, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that 115,000 hectares have been destroyed since the start of the year.

While cooler temperatures offered temporary relief, emergency crews continue to manage active flare-ups, including suspect arson cases in the Var region. Forecasting models predict temperatures reaching 40°C again shortly, threatening current containment gains. National firefighters' federation spokesperson Eric Brocardi highlighted the daunting nature of the efforts, noting "the fire is like David against Goliath."

Sources: BBC News, France24, Le Figaro, ORF, RTBF Info