Wildfires in southwestern France's Gironde region have been raging for a week, forcing tens of thousands of residents and tourists to flee. Three Canadair aircraft and helicopters are battling the flames, dropping over 1,000 gallons of water and red fire retardant.

With temperatures peaking at 40°C, fires spontaneously reignite, posing a constant threat. Firefighters and volunteers are engaged in a game of 'cat and mouse' or 'Whack-a-Mole,' focusing on containment rather than cure.

Locals like Pierre Alexandre refused to leave their homes. He stayed with his son Clement to protect their bungalow, admitting: 'We're not firefighters.' Volunteers like Hugo, 26, who returned from Bali to help, said: 'If it's too late, at least we tried. 50,000 hectares have already been destroyed.'

Maëlys, 23, a nurse, works at the hospital in the morning and fights fires in the afternoon. 'It's horrible, it's our home, our region, our forest. I feel a lot of sadness,' she said, her face covered in soot.

Fire crews from across France are watering soil and vegetation to prevent future fires, a process known as 'noyer' (drowning). The Gironde wildfires are under relative control but far from extinguished.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk