A wildfire raging through southwest France has forced the evacuation of more than a quarter of a million people — the largest peacetime displacement in the country since the Second World War.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez says the main blaze in the Gironde region is now just 19 miles (30 kilometres) from the centre of Bordeaux, with shifting winds and dry conditions making the fire extremely difficult to contain.
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild, while Germany has sent helicopters, a military transport aircraft and rescue crews to help.
William Denselow reports from France.
IN: “When it comes...”
OUT: “...towards the fires.”
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Reporter William Denselow near the fire line in southwest France says rapidly changing wind conditions are making the blaze extremely unpredictable for crews on the ground.
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OUT: “...crews to contain.”
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William Denselow in southwest France says the scale of the fires is not confined to France, with record-breaking burns expected across the European Union.
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OUT: “...mitigate going forward.”
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