More than 1,000 firefighters are struggling to contain a huge wildfire that has destroyed a large area of pine forest in southwest France.
Around 6,800 hectares (26 square miles) in the Gironde region and neighbouring Landes have been burnt by the blaze, which began on Tuesday.
At least 16 houses have also been destroyed, and emergency services have forced around 10,000 people to evacuate the area.
Photographs released by firefighters showed flames raging through pine forests, sending clouds of smoke in the air and illuminating the sky with intense orange light.
It comes after the region was ravaged by flames last month and as France tackles its fourth heatwave following its worst drought ever.
“The conditions are particularly difficult: the vegetation and the soil are particularly dry after more than a month without rain,” local officials said in a statement.
“The scorching temperatures are expected to continue until Saturday and combine with very dry air to create very severe fire risk conditions.”
Swifts nearly baked alive, sparrows stuck to tarmac, and hedgehogs orphaned – the destruction caused by France’s fourth heatwave
Beluga whale which strayed into River Seine ‘euthanised’ during road transfer
Another week of high temperatures means no respite for much of drought-hit France
On Thursday, temperatures were due to reach 40C (104F) across the region.
Four firefighting planes, based in Sweden and Greece, have been sent to the country by the European Commission to help put out the blaze.
Nine other aircraft and two helicopters have also been mobilised.
Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer also said firefighting teams from Germany, Poland, Austria and Romania were on their way to help French crews.
“The EU continues to monitor the situation across Europe and stands ready to help the affected countries,” she added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and interior minister Gerald Darmanin are due to visit the evacuated small town of Hostens to meet crews, rescuers, local officials and volunteers.
Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.
All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.
The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis.
