France evacuates hundreds as new wildfire threatens southwestern Landes region

French ​authorities evacuated 525 villagers after a wildfire broke ​out in the pine woods of the southwestern Landes region, near an area already devastated by major blazes this ​summer. The ‌fire, which razed 1,100 hectares (2,700 ⁠acres) after it began on Thursday, spread to within 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) ‌of the centre of the village of Luglon, ⁠regional official Gilles Clavreul told reporters on Friday. Read moreWestern Europe lived through hottest June and July ever recorded “The situation is unfavourable,” he said, adding that ​500 firefighters were tackling the flames, with ‌the help of six aircraft sent to assist. "The next fifteen hours will be decisive," Clavreul told reporters. Fire chief Arnaud Fabre said the fire was slowing down but he added he was concerned about potential flare-ups as the heat returns. To display this content from X (Twitter), you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Police took 525 in the village to safety, with ‌road links to the north and south closed. No homes have been destroyed. Luglon is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of the tourist area of Arcachon Bay, where two major wildfires devastated more than 50,000...