Climate Europe Wildfires Worsening
FILE - A plane releases fire retardant as it flies over a forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, July 29, 2026.
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Two new studies reveal climate change's fingerprints over extreme fire weather-triggering infernos in Spain and France. Researchers at World Weather Attribution found human-caused climate change made Spain's record fire 20 times more likely and doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions in France. Another study shows extreme fire-prone days in Southern Europe have more than doubled compared to decades ago. Experts emphasize that climate change is already impacting fire severity and stress the need to stop burning fossil fuels.
Firefighters in southwestern France are working to control the last hot spots of a massive wildfire. The blaze has burned an area four times the size of Paris, forcing thousands to evacuate. The fire has affected 42,000 hectares in Bordeaux's Gironde region. Government officials said Friday that lower temperatures and higher humidity are helping firefighters. Europe is facing a hot summer, fueling wildfires across the continent. The wildfire in southwest France initially forced 224,000 people to flee. Authorities have allowed 144,000 evacuees to return this week. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said hot spots remain, and Ukraine is sending personnel to assist.