Since the beginning of the month, France and Spain have been hit by massive wildfires, destroying buildings and forests alike. The epic heat wave in Europe has hit record levels in many parts of the bloc, leading to thousands of deaths.
Causes of the Fires
Reports show that it’s not just climate change causing the destruction. The latest data from France’s Ministry of Agriculture says nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people, often due to campfires, unextinguished cigarettes, or similar negligence.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said experts found ten points around a little more than half of a mile radius that were used for ignition, suggesting a voluntary origin. Dozens of people have been arrested across the nation for either accidentally or deliberately starting fires.
Impact and Response
A fire in the Spanish Andalusia region killed at least 13 people, including a 93-year-old woman. Spain has been dealing with three separate wildfires, one of which has been stopped. A fire in Zaragoza destroyed 12,000 hectares and resulted in the evacuation of six separate villages.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the country ‘has never faced so many outbreaks of fire across the country since the end of World War II.’ He added that there will be zero tolerance for arsonists, as it is a threat to the national territory.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
