French authorities evacuated 525 people from the village of Luglon in the Landes region of southwestern France after a fire that broke out in pine forests on Thursday approached the village center and consumed 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres), while 500 firefighters and six aircraft are taking part in efforts to bring it under control.
Fire within two kilometers
Regional official Gilles Claperol told reporters on Friday that the fire had spread to within two kilometers of the center of Luglon, warning that conditions surrounding the firefighting operation were difficult.
The situation is unfavorable.
Police took the evacuated residents to safe locations, while roads leading to the village from the north and south were closed.
Heat wave and drought
The fire comes amid severe heat waves hitting the region this summer, with temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius on Friday afternoon. Drought is also increasing the flammability of the pine forests covering the Landes region.
Luglon lies about 100 kilometers southeast of the tourist area around Arcachon Bay, where two major fires in late July destroyed more than 50,000 hectares (124,000 acres) and led to the evacuation of about 220,000 people.
Unprecedented fire season
The current season is unprecedented for forest fires in France, with the area burned so far exceeding the figure recorded in 2022, which previously held the record.
