Record-Breaking European Wildfires Highlight Climate-Driven Heat

Extreme wildfires sweeping southwestern France and Spain are breaking records amid a severe heatwave and drought. France’s July fire activity is about 40% above the previous record and energy release has doubled, threatening cities like Bordeaux and Madrid; hundreds of thousands have been evacuated and at least three people have died. Scientists say climate change is intensifying fires, with France even recording its first pyrocumulonimbus thunderstorm, and warn that another heatwave could push the season toward the worst on record while urging adaptation and fuel-management to reduce future risk.