French firefighters continued to battle wildfires in the country's southwest on Monday (July 27) as many hoped favourable weather conditions could ease the blazes that have scorched through more than 40,000 hectares of land.
About 220,000 people, including tourists and local residents, have been evacuated in France due to the wildfires. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday afternoon the wildfire, which broke out on Wednesday (July 22), is now stable but is not fully contained.
The blaze is threatening the major French city and wine region of Bordeaux, as the flames are now only 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from entry points to the main metropolitan area.
The wildfires in southwestern France have delivered a shock to the regional economy, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said earlier on Monday. The region is one of the centres of French wine production and a major tourism hub.