Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from Luglon in southwestern France, as a fast-moving wildfire tears through tinder-dry pine forests in the Landes region.
Authorities evacuated 525 people after the blaze burned around 1,100 hectares in less than 24 hours and spread to within just two kilometres of the village centre.
Around 500 firefighters, supported by six firefighting aircraft, are battling the flames as shifting conditions make containment increasingly difficult.
Roads around the village have also been closed as emergency crews work to protect residents and prevent the fire from advancing further.
The Landes region is dominated by pine forests that become highly flammable during prolonged dry conditions, adding to the danger facing firefighters.
The latest blaze comes during what officials describe as France’s worst wildfire season on record, with the area burned this year already exceeding the previous annual record set in 2022.
Extreme heat, drought and dry vegetation have created dangerous conditions across the country, while firefighters continue battling multiple major fires.
As the Luglon blaze remains active, authorities are keeping residents away from threatened areas while crews race to contain the flames and protect nearby communities.
