Hundreds of firefighters are battling blazes that have devastated more than 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) of land -- an area nearly three times the size of Manhattan -- across Portugal, Spain, France, Greece and other countries.The fires are spreading as temperatures rise again -- already reaching 43C in Spain -- in a continent still scarred by the aftermath of heatwaves in May and June that have been blamed for thousands of deaths.Scientists agree that climate change driven by humans burning fossil fuels is increasing the risk and severity of heatwaves and other extreme weather phenomena.
The fires forced evacuations in southwestern France © Idriss Bigou-Gilles / AFP
Some 10,500 people were told to evacuate their homes near Perpignan in southwestern France as firefighters battled a blaze in the Pyrenees that has devoured more than 4,600 hectares, authorities said."The fire came within 300 metres of the houses. We were taken aback by how fast it spread, it was staggering -- bordering on panic," said Patrice, a 53-year-old resident of the village of Trevillach, who did not give his surname."We started seeing smoke around 10:30 pm, then it kept coming closer and closer. Someone from the town hall knocked on our door around 1:00 am to tell us to leave," said Charlotte Pignol."The smell of smoke was overwhelming," added the 30-year-old.Cycle fans sidelinedAuthorities said Monday's third stage of the Tour de France cycle race through the Pyrenees would take place without the thousands of spectators who normally line the route.The 196-kilometer (122-mile) stage sees the race cross the border from Spain into France. But only riders and their team vehicles will be allowed on the route.Regional prefect Pierre Regnault de la Mothe told reporters: "I regret having to say this, it will be, in France at least, a stage of the Tour de France without spectators."
