Europe burns: a visual guide to the wildfires
Summary
Large wildfires in France and Spain have caused deaths, forced 330,000 people to leave their homes, and destroyed huge areas. The fires are worse than in previous years, driven by very wet weather followed by extreme heatwaves linked to climate change.Key Facts
- The wildfires have already burned more land in France than in any previous year.
- Spain has set a new record for the number of fires this year, with the burned area close to the severe 2022 level.
- Heavy rains in winter and spring caused lots of plant growth, followed by severe heatwaves from May onward that dried out the vegetation.
- The June 2026 heatwave was the hottest ever recorded in Europe and was made much worse by over 100 years of carbon pollution.
- Dry plants and soil became like tinder, making fires spread fast and intensely.
- Huge “fire clouds” called pyrocumulonimbus formed in France, creating dangerous storm-like conditions that can start more fires.
- Firefighters say the speed and strength of these fires are unlike anything they have seen, forcing them to focus on evacuations and saving buildings.
- Emergency shelters have been set up to help displaced people, with thousands evacuated due to official alerts.
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