Fires scorch France, Spain; temperature-related deaths soar

PARIS (AP) — Firefighters struggled on Sunday to contain wildfires raging out of control in France and Spain as Europe wilts under an unusually extreme heat wave that authorities link to a rise in excess mortality.

Two huge blazes that have been consuming pine forests for six days just south of city of Bordeaux in southwest France have forced evacuation of some 14,000 people, including many who were set to spend ir vacation at campsites.

In Spain, firefighters supported by armed forces' emergency briges are trying to stamp out over 30 fires consuming forests spre across country. Spain’s National Defense Department said that “ majority” of its fire-fighting aircraft have been deployed. Many areas are rugged, hilly terrain that makes it difficult for ground crews to access.

So far, re have been no fire-related deaths in France or Spain. In Portugal, a pilot of a firefighting plane died when his aircraft crashed on Friday.

But as temperatures remain unusually high, heat-related deaths have soared.

In Spain second heat wave of summer has kept highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many areas. According to Spain’s Carlos III Institute, which records temperature-related fatalities daily, 237 deaths were attributed to high temperatures from July 10-14. That was compared with 25 temperature-related deaths previous five days.

In France, fire in La Teste-de-Buch near Atlantic coast has forced 10,000 people to flee. Gironde regional government said on Sunday that “ situation remains unfavorable” due to gusting winds that, combined with hot and dry conditions, have fanned more flare-ups overnight.

A second fire near town of Landiras, south of a valley of Bordeaux vineyards, has forced authorities to evacuate 4,100 people this week, including some 1,900 on Saturday. Authorities said that one flank has been brought under control by dumping of white sand along a two-kilometer (1.2-mile) stretch. Anor flank, however, remains unchecked.

Some of most worrisome blazes in Spain are concentrated in western regions of Extremura and Castilla y León. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced a joint command that will take over coordinating efforts to battle fires that are active in joining regions.

Firefighters have been unable to stop vance of a fire that broke out near city of Cáceres that is threatening Monfragüe National Park and has kept 200 people from returning to ir homes.

Anor fire in sourn Spain near city of Malaga has forced evacuation of a furr 2,500 people. re are more fires near central city of Ávila, in northwest Galicia, among or areas.

Hungary, Croatia and Greek island of Crete have also fought wildfires this week, as have Morocco and California.

scorching temperatures have reached as far north as Britain, where its wear agency has issued its first-ever “red warning” of extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures in sourn England may reach 40 C (104 F) for first time.

That will still be relatively bearable compared with 47 C (117 F) recorded in Portugal’s norrn town of Pinhao on Wednesday, establishing a new national record.