EU Official Calls for Faster Climate Response as Wildfires Spread in France and Spain

Key points

• EU crisis commissioner Hadja Lahbib called for increased climate investment, faster planning, fire-risk education and stronger forest management.
• Wildfires in France and Spain have prompted the evacuation of about 330,000 people, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
• More than 42,000 hectares have burned in France’s Gironde region, where authorities said fires remained uncontrolled despite slowing overnight.
• Gironde temperatures could reach 42C on Wednesday, while dry winds may intensify fires, regional prefect Sophie Brocas said.
• Spain’s weather agency warned of very high or extreme wildfire danger across most of the country as some residents returned home.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said climate-change denial was worsening the challenge posed by the climate emergency.