Thousands of people in Spain are returning home after the Burgohondo wildfire forced large-scale evacuations, but the respite may be short-lived. A new heatwave is approaching, raising fresh concern that extreme temperatures could worsen fire conditions again.
The Burgohondo fire pushed about 40,000 residents from their homes. According to Francisco Bolaños, one of the officials directing firefighting operations, the blaze had stopped advancing, suggesting firefighters had managed to stabilize the situation enough for some people to go back.
Even so, Spain and France are now bracing for what has been described as the fourth heatwave of the summer. With some fires still burning, the return of intense heat is expected to increase the risk of flare-ups and make containment work more difficult.
The combination of ongoing wildfires and another stretch of very hot weather is keeping emergency services on alert. While the return of residents marks progress in Spain, authorities in both Spain and France remain focused on the threat that the next heatwave could quickly revive.
