Firefighters in France and Spain made progress on Tuesday in containing major wildfires that have forced unprecedented evacuations, but authorities warned that an approaching heatwave could reignite existing blazes and trigger new ones.
Crews sought to take advantage of improved weather conditions before temperatures are expected to rise sharply from Wednesday, with officials in both countries cautioning that the coming days remain critical despite recent gains.
The fires have devastated communities, disrupted tourism and stretched emergency resources across parts of southwestern France and central Spain.
In France, authorities said the forest fire in the Gironde region near Bordeaux was contained after overnight efforts, although officials warned that higher temperatures could reverse recent progress.
Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated from tourist areas around Lacanau, bringing the total number displaced from Gironde to well over a quarter of a million.
Sporting and cultural events in the affected area have been suspended until August 8.
French firefighters continued operations on the Cap Ferret peninsula and surrounding areas, where the wildfire crisis has been described by President Emmanuel Macron as possibly the country's most severe since World War Two.
Firefighters' spokesperson Eric Brocardi said, "We fight against a monster."
In Spain, authorities allowed residents from most evacuated towns in Toledo province to return home after progress overnight, while fires continued burning in the Madrid region and neighbouring Avila province.
Officials said more than 73,000 people remained evacuated and around 66,000 others were still under confinement, although earlier evacuations had affected even larger numbers.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said authorities were beginning "to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against wildfires," while warning that another heatwave posed a significant challenge.
Spain's fourth heatwave of the summer is expected to begin on Wednesday, with forecasts pointing to extreme fire risk driven by high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds.
France is also forecast to experience its fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to climb towards 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, raising concerns that the improving wildfire situation could quickly deteriorate.