Emmanuel Macron visits wildfires-hit area of Southwestern France

French President Emmanuel Macron visited country's worst-hit Gironde region in southwest on Wednesday, meeting with firefighters who have been battling flames for a week.

Two massive fires feeding on tinder-dry pine forests also have forced tens of thousands of people to flee homes and summer vacation spots since y broke out July 12.

French firefighters created huge firebreaks through threatened forests, using heavy machinery to tear out trees and roots, leaving large barren strips to stop fires.

"This is probably fifth or sixth largest fire we've h to deal with in terms of two areas that have been affected and number of people as that have been evacuated - 36,000 people evacuated," said Macron during a visit to thank firefighters in region.

“You have saved lives,” Macron said, shaking hands with a group of firefighters lined up at regional fire department.

leer of Gironde fire brige, Marc Vermeulen, briefed president on ir formidable efforts to contain blaze.

Gironde fires have burned 206 square kilometers (80 square miles) of forests, authorities say.

Wildfires in France so far this year have consumed 25% more land compared with same period last year, government said Wednesday as it announced that is requisitioning two civilian helicopters to help tackle blazes.

Fires were burning across sourn Europe on Wednesday, but authorities in France, Spain and Portugal all reported improved conditions with a respite from severe heat.