Scientists say climate change is driving the extraordinary fire conditions gripping western Europe, but that the scale of those fires cannot be understood without looking at how humans drastically changed part of the landscape 200 years ago.

Before-and-after images have revealed the devastating full extent of wildfires in southwestern France, as flames bear down on Bordeaux.

Deer trapped by walls of flame, lizards unable to escape the heat, habitats reduced to charred wood and ash: wildlife are paying a steep price as France's forests burn.