Huge Wildfire in Southwest France Brought Under Control After Burning an Area Larger Than Chicago

A massive wildfire in Gironde, France, started July 22 and was brought under control by July 30. The Saumos fire burned 42,000 hectares — an area larger than Chicago — and drew 2,700 firefighters. Flames came within 15 km of Bordeaux. Two firefighters died fighting a separate fire near Bordeaux-Mérignac airport the same day the Saumos fire began.