More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from southwestern France as firefighters battle a fast-moving wildfire near the Atlantic coastal town of Lège-Cap-Ferret, a popular tourist destination.
Local authorities said the blaze has scorched more than 4,900 acres of land, although no injuries have been reported.
In an update on Thursday, the Gironde Prefecture said about 500 firefighters had been deployed to contain the fire, warning that weather conditions remained unfavourable and continued to hamper efforts to bring the blaze under control.
As a precaution, more than 10,000 people, including thousands of holidaymakers staying at eight campsites and holiday parks in the area southwest of Bordeaux, were evacuated overnight. More than 1,000 residents living along the forest edge were also relocated to safer locations.
Authorities said nine municipalities had opened emergency reception centres for evacuees, with more than 2,500 people taking shelter there.
The wildfire is the latest in a series of major blazes to hit southern Europe this summer, as scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions, leaving forests and vegetation more susceptible to fire.
France has experienced repeated heatwaves in recent weeks, fuelling wildfires that have destroyed vast areas of land amid record temperatures and severe drought. The prolonged dry spell has left vegetation under intense water stress, significantly increasing the risk of rapidly spreading fires.
According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, more than 12,500 wildfires have been recorded across France since the start of the year, with nearly 44,000 hectares of land already destroyed.