Six countries in southern Europe have been hit by wildfires. One of the blazes, in southwestern France, could affect Monday’s third stage of the Tour de France, authorities warn. This summer, the EU is deploying more firefighters and water-bombing aircraft to southern EuropeImage: Miguel Riopa/AFP
Firefighters across southern Europe battled several wildfires on Sunday, with authorities in southwestern France warning that one blaze could force a partial cancellation of the Tour de France. Blazes were also reported in Portugal, Greece, Spain and the Balkans, just as the summer tourism season moves into high gear. European policymakers have warned of a very extreme danger from wildfires this year, particularly during July and August. Europe’s heat wave: The worst is yet to come
French authorities said they would decide by the end of Sunday whether to cancel the third stage of the Tour de France, after a forest fire raged about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the route. The fire, at Trevillach in the Pyrenees-Orientales department, broke out on Saturday, leaving two people — a firefighter and a resident — in a life-threatening condition in the hospital.
Some 750 firefighters, 200 vehicles and nine water-bombing helicopters and other aircraft have been deployed to contain the fire, which officials say has a frontline stretching 18 kilometers.
Cyclists are due to cross the finish line in Les Angles in the Pyrenees on Monday, and race officials hope the route can be adapted if required. Around 300 firefighters battled another fire in a mountainous district of France’s southeastern Drome department.
Source: DW
[/newsletter_lock
Finnish site 
Global site