French authorities have brought under control a major wildfire that burned approximately 1,700 hectares of land in the Landes department after four days of intensive firefighting operations.

The fire broke out on Aug. 13 near the village of Luglon and spread rapidly through forested areas before emergency crews succeeded in containing the blaze.

Authorities said residents who had been evacuated as a precaution have been allowed to return to their homes after the situation stabilized.

Thousands of firefighters deployed

Firefighters worked for several days to contain the flames, supported by aerial firefighting aircraft and ground crews. Officials said monitoring operations will continue to prevent any flare-ups while crews secure the affected area.

No fatalities or major structural damage were reported in connection with the wildfire.

Difficult wildfire season

France is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in recent years. Since the beginning of the year, more than 117,000 hectares have been affected by wildfires across the country, while four firefighters have lost their lives during firefighting operations.

French authorities have repeatedly warned that prolonged heat, drought and strong winds have significantly increased wildfire risks across several regions and urged the public to follow fire safety restrictions.(ILKHA)