HealthFacemasks return as wildfire smoke blankets southwestern France

Massive wildfires sweeping through the French countryside are producing huge clouds of smoke over nearby metropolitan areas. The thick, potentially toxic haze has raised concerns among residents about their respiratory health. French pharmacies are seeing a surge in demand for face masks, especially FFP2 models designed to filter fine particles. The government is urgently sending additional supplies to affected areas, including the Bordeaux region, where the masks are being made available free of charge.