France wildfires cause WWII shell explosions in forest villages

Severe wildfires in the southwest of France, near the village of Le Porge, heated the forest floor and reached buried World War II munitions. The extreme temperatures triggered detonations of dozens of shells, with officials reporting around one hundred explosions and the uncovering of more than four hundred unexploded shells.

No injuries or fatalities were recorded, but authorities evacuated hundreds of residents to temporary shelters in gyms and community centres as a precaution. Firefighters continued to combat the blaze while also working to secure the hazardous ordnance. The incident highlights the added danger that historic unexploded explosives pose during extreme heat events across Europe.