A fast-moving wildfire was raging in southern France on Sunday, forcing evacuations as more than 200 firefighters raced to contain the blaze.The fire broke out around 12.45pm in the Lozere region, about 140km (85 miles) northwest of Montpellier, and was likely sparked by a vehicle catching fire on a local road. By late afternoon, the uncontained blaze had burned some 90 hectares (220 acres).Backed by four Canadair water bombers and a Dash aircraft, around 220 firefighters were deployed to the area. Authorities evacuated two hamlets in the municipality of La Tieule, affecting about 20 homes.“This is an area with a great deal of woodland. It’s extremely dry. The drought is unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time,” said Marc Toulouse, a senior fire officer in Lozère.The blaze in France comes as neighbouring Spain continues to battle its own severe summer wildfires.In southwestern Spain, just under 500 people have been evacuated due to a forest fire in Huelva province. The blaze, which broke out Thursday, has engulfed around 8,000 hectares, according to the regional government of Andalusia.
Firefighters battle raging wildfires in parts of France and Spain
Both countries are enduring a tough summer for wildfires as Europe has suffered a succession of heatwaves and drought.







