Wildfires raced across forests in France and Spain, sending residents fleeing and filling the sky with smoke as firefighters from across Europ…

Firefighters have contained a vast wildfire in southwestern France, allowing nearly 200,000 people to return home. The development comes after what may have been the country’s largest peacetime evacuation. However, renewed fires have forced thousands from their homes in other parts of France and Greece. In the Var region, a fire thought to be under control raced across 10 square kilometers in just six hours. Meanwhile, in Greece, gale-force winds have driven flames through the coastal area between Athens and Thebes, leading to evacuations. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are making Europe more vulnerable to such wildfires.

Jean-François Pauner is among many volunteers helping firefighters battle wildfires in southwestern France. The fires have devastated 42,000 hectares west of Bordeaux, forcing nearly a quarter-million people from their homes. This summer, Europe faces extreme heat, fueling wildfires from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. By Friday, French authorities allowed many evacuees to return home, but hot spots remain. Police are investigating the fires' origins, with some suspects arrested. Meanwhile, fires continue across Europe, including near a nuclear power station in England and on the Greek mainland, where evacuations are underway.

Two new studies reveal climate change's fingerprints over extreme fire weather-triggering infernos in Spain and France. Researchers at World Weather Attribution found human-caused climate change made Spain's record fire 20 times more likely and doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions in France. Another study shows extreme fire-prone days in Southern Europe have more than doubled compared to decades ago. Experts emphasize that climate change is already impacting fire severity and stress the need to stop burning fossil fuels.

As wildfires and successive heatwaves in France and Spain highlight climate change's impact, a severe drought is causing record low water levels on the Danube River, affecting tourism and industry. The river, which flows through 10 countries, has receded to unprecedented lows, exposing rocks and old shipwrecks. In Budapest, the Danube was measured at just 23 centimeters, breaking previous records. River cruise ships are docking upriver, and sightseeing cruises have been canceled. The drought has also affected Hungary and Romania's nuclear power plant operations, exposed a World War II bomb, and ended the summer season for excursion boat operators in Serbia.

France has allowed 84,000 evacuees to return home after a massive wildfire, signaling progress in battling the flames. The fire has burned an area four times the size of Paris. However, wildfires continue to flare across Europe, fueled by an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Firefighters are tackling blazes in the U.K., Spain, Germany, Greece, and Turkey. Hollywood star George Clooney evacuated his French home due to a nearby fire. In France, authorities are using water cannons and international aid to control the situation. Cooler weather and rain are helping efforts, but conditions remain challenging.

George Clooney says his family had to evacuate their French home as wildfire burned nearby.

Wildfires near Bordeaux are hurting the wine region's economy. The fires have burned an area four times the size of Paris and forced 220,000 people to evacuate. The inferno is impacting tourism. Winemaker Edouard le Grix de la Salle is concerned that government warnings to avoid the area will hurt his family's wine business. The fires add to existing economic struggles, rising energy costs and declining wine consumption. A regional business leader says the blaze is an economic apocalypse. Bordeaux's mayor is pushing back against other officials’ pleas for people to avoid the region.

Fire crews in southwest France are battling a massive blaze four times the size of Paris, while two firefighters were killed fighting a wind-driven blaze on the Greek island of Crete. Temperatures in France are forecast to climb above 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, complicating efforts. The fire has forced 220,000 people from their homes. Authorities in the Gironde region said the situation was calm overnight, but the heat wave and winds could cause flare-ups. Across France and Spain, 330,000 people have been displaced by wildfires. More than 2,200 firefighters and over 20 aircraft remained mobilized, backed by crews from across France and European partners.