EU crisis chief urges stronger climate action as wildfires rage

European Union crisis management commissioner Hadja Lahbib called for accelerated climate action and increased investment as France and Spain face a crippling heatwave that threatens to ignite new wildfires. The devastating blazes have forced the evacuation of about 330,000 people, with 220,000 in France and 110,000 in Spain. Temperatures in France's Gironde region, where over 42,000 hectares have burned, could reach 42C (108F). Lahbib warned that climate change is accelerating and the EU's response must evolve just as quickly.