Express & Star
·Jul 2026
Thousands of French wildfire evacuees return home as cooler weather moves in
Nearly two-thirds of the 224,000 people evacuated from southwestern France have been authorised to return home as cooler temperatures, higher humidity and light rain help firefighters contain a blaze that has burned about 42,000 hectares. Authorities are keeping evacuation alerts active, reopening the A63 highway and deploying 3,300 firefighters, aircraft, helicopters, water cannons and firebreaks. Wildfires and heat-related emergencies are also affecting Spain and other European countries, with officials warning that renewed heat and human recklessness could worsen the risks.