Paris, July 27 (QNA) - French authorities announced today that the wildfires raging in the Gironde region of southwestern France remained "generally stable" overnight, after five days of continuous expansion. They warned, however, that an expected heatwave could make controlling the blazes even more difficult.

Authorities in the Gironde department stated that the situation did not see significant changes overnight, confirming that firefighting and rescue teams and security forces remain mobilized to continue their operations on the ground. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is chairing a meeting to discuss the developments of the fires and the measures being taken to combat them.

For its part, the French meteorological service issued a statement today warning of a new heatwave starting tomorrow, Tuesday, in the southwest of the country. Temperatures are expected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by less strong but drier winds, which could increase the risk of the fires spreading.

The fires, which broke out last Wednesday, have already consumed some 42,000 hectares of land in the Gironde region. The total area destroyed by forest fires in France since the beginning of the year has reached approximately 115,000 hectares, a figure described by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez as "unprecedented."

Authorities confirmed that some 220,000 people evacuated due to the fires will not be able to return to their homes until the blazes are completely under control. They also advised tourists against traveling to the Gironde region and suspended summer camping activities there.

The fires have so far destroyed 240 homes in Gironde, and 84 firefighters have been injured during the battles, including ten who were hospitalized. (QNA)