Firefighters battling a "monster" wildfire are "waiting for God' to help them.

The blaze broke out in the South of France; now countries across Europe are sending firefighters to help. 

Forces are burning parts of the forest on purpose to create firebreaks, meaning the wildfire won't spread through the already charred soil and risk the lives of those living on the other side. 

Thousands of residents across the Gironde region were evacuated; some have now been able to return home.

Speaking to BBC News, Jean-Pierre Le Cunff, tactical fire chief - and father of two sons in the force, said:"I have been a firefighter for 40 years and I had never seen such a fire." 

"We are waiting for rain, for snow, for winter, for God." 

As the firefighters work to control the wildfire, figures have emerged showing the detrimental impact these fires are having on the air quality.

As Europe records more and more fires, the level of CO2 emissions is skyrocketing. 

French fires released nearly 1 million tonnes of carbon, equivalent to the annual emissions of 790,000 cars, into the atmosphere from June 2022 to 11th August 2022 alone.