A wildfire burning in southwestern France sent thick smoke billowing over parts of the Gironde department on Wednesday, as firefighters battled the blaze amid hot, dry conditions following weeks of heatwaves and drought.
Drone footage showed smoke rising behind the commune of Sainte-Helene, where flames swept through forested areas in Saumos near Lacanau in the Gironde department.
French authorities evacuated 600 people near the village of Saumos on Wednesday and diverted road traffic to the popular beaches close to the area.
The fire in Gironde has devastated 100 hectares between Bordeaux and Cap Ferret.
The risk of more wildfires remains very high in western and southwestern France for the rest of the week, as well as in the southeast at least until Thursday, official weather forecaster Meteo France said.