“These fires are no longer controllable,” said Sebastien Lahaye, a former firefighter and coordinator of European fire management projects. He told FranceInfo, “The only way to sustainably stop the fires is a change in weather conditions.” The blaze was literally “dragging things” with its ferocity, said Mark Vermeulen, chief of the local fire service. “40-year-old pine trunks are cracking.” Hastily packing her car, Patricia Monteil said she was going to her daughter’s house nearby. “But even if this catches fire, I don’t know what to do.” In a strongly worded warning, Bordeaux mayor Pierre Hourmic blamed the fires on human inaction in the face of climate change. “The house is burning more and more and yet people keep looking the other way,” Mr Hurmich told France Bleu on Tuesday. Air pollution soared in France and southern Europe amid record temperatures and wildfires, which also hit Spain and Portugal. Scientists have warned of unhealthy levels of ozone pollution across southern and western Europe, which could soon affect northwestern regions, including the UK. Heat waves increase ozone production. Europe’s heatwave is expected to peak today, but temperatures may remain above normal until the middle of next week, the World Meteorological Organization said. “The question everyone is asking looking ahead is – when will this end?” said Robert Stefanski, head of Applied Climate Services at the WMO. “Unfortunately, looking at all the models from all our partners nationally and regionally, probably not until the middle of next week.” WMO Secretary-General Petri Taalas has warned that he expects to see a “much higher” number of heatwaves in the future due to climate change. Reinsurance company Chaucer said fire losses in Europe rose by 75% in 2020, the latest year for which data is available. The problem is expected to escalate as global temperatures rise. Ellen Gyandzhuntseva, Head of Exhibition Management at Chaucer, said: “Fires have become a top priority risk relatively recently. However, given the increase in frequency and severity, losses begin to mount. We have already seen some (re)insurers start to limit their exposure as a result.”