France evacuates 525 as new wildfire hits pine woods in the southwest

French authorities have evacuated 525 residents from the village of Luglon following the outbreak of a wildfire in the southwestern Landes region. The fire, which began on Thursday, has consumed 1,100 hectares of land and is now within a 2 km radius of the village center, according to regional official Gilles Clavreul. The pine forests in the Landes area are particularly susceptible to rapid combustion when dry.

Clavreul reported that 500 firefighters are currently battling the flames, and six aircraft have been deployed to aid in the effort. Roads leading to Luglon from the north and south have been shut down. The source of the fire has not been disclosed. Luglon lies approximately 100 km southeast of the coastal town of Arcachon Bay, which experienced two devastating wildfires in late July that forced the evacuation of over 220,000 people.

Recently, a 15-year-old youth was arrested in connection with a fire near Bordeaux airport that claimed the lives of two firefighters. The arrested individual is accused of discarding a cigarette butt that allegedly started the blaze. French authorities have arrested 474 people in total, with 183 under the age of 18. Around 70% of the detainees are suspected of arson.

Southwestern France has endured extreme heatwaves this summer, and temperatures are predicted to reach 36°C (97°F) on Friday afternoon. This year's area burned has surpassed the previous record set in 2022.