Europe burns: a visual guide to the wildfires

Southwestern Europe, particularly France and Spain, is experiencing severe wildfires that have forced the evacuation of over 300,000 people. These blazes, occurring after record heatwaves, have burned hundreds of thousands of hectares of land in both countries, with Spain reporting six times the area destroyed compared to the same period last year. In Spain, a wildfire in Andalusia resulted in at least 12 deaths, and authorities declared a national emergency for two "out of control" blazes. France is facing its worst wildfires since World War II, with significant fires impacting the Cap Ferret peninsula and areas near Bordeaux, threatening the regional capital. Thousands of firefighters are deployed to combat these widespread and difficult-to-contain fires.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that the next 12 hours are "decisive" for a large wildfire near Madrid, which is Spain's largest on record. Firefighters have managed to contain the Madrid fire overnight, but a separate blaze near València remains out of control. Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate breakdown, is intensifying pressure on firefighters across southern Europe, with temperatures expected to reach 39C in Bordeaux and 37C in Madrid. This fourth heatwave of the summer has led to record-breaking areas burned in France and Spain, forcing over 330,000 people to flee their homes. The European Union is coordinating international aid to assist affected countries, and officials warn of difficult weeks ahead with potential further outbreaks in Italy and Greece.

Wildfires are raging across Spain and France, forcing the evacuation of over 140,000 people. In Madrid, a wildfire described as the "worst in the region's history" has merged multiple blazes, overwhelming firefighters and prompting the evacuation of at least 30,000 people. The Spanish government has declared a national emergency due to high temperatures, strong winds, and merging fire fronts. Meanwhile, in southwest France, an "XXL fire" has led to the evacuation of over 110,000 people in the Gironde and Landes regions, with the blaze heading towards Bordeaux. The military has been mobilized to assist in France, while Spain's Military Emergency Unit is deployed to combat the flames.

Europe is experiencing devastating wildfires in France and Spain, causing deaths, forcing the evacuation of 330,000 people, and widespread destruction. France has already surpassed its worst previous year for area burned, with August yet to come, and Spain has set a new record for the cumulative number of fires this year. These extreme blazes are attributed to a "whiplash" of wet then dry weather, intensified by the climate crisis, leading to dry vegetation and the formation of dangerous "fire clouds." Firefighters are struggling to contain the infernos, prioritizing evacuations over fighting the ferocious flames. The consequences include significant damage to homes, livelihoods, vineyards, and industries, as well as health impacts from toxic smoke.

Spain and France are facing a high risk of further wildfires due to soaring summer temperatures and dry conditions. In Spain, a wildfire in Guadalajara has burned over 32,000 hectares, making it one of the country's largest recorded blazes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the affected area and called for political action on climate change. Meanwhile, France is battling a wildfire in the Var region that has damaged homes and forced evacuations, with high wildfire risk persisting in western and southwestern areas. Other European countries like Italy, Greece, and Cyprus are also issuing warnings and implementing restrictions due to extreme weather and fire risks.

Cooler weather and increased humidity are offering hope for relief in southwestern France, where wildfires have burned an area four times the size of Paris. Firefighters, numbering 2,200 with over 20 aircraft, remain on full alert as moisture from the Atlantic is expected to bring light rain to the Lège-Cap-Ferret area. Temperatures are forecast to drop significantly from the previous day's highs. These fires are part of a larger wildfire emergency across southern Europe, which has seen evacuations of hundreds of thousands and the deaths of three firefighters in Greece.

Wildfires are a growing concern, directly killing hundreds annually and indirectly causing an estimated 1.5 million deaths each year due to air pollution from smoke. While human activities and natural causes can spark fires, climate change, driven by fossil fuel pollution, is exacerbating conditions by increasing temperatures and droughts, making fires more likely and intense. Despite a historical decrease in total burned area due to land use changes, projections indicate a significant rise in fire weather days and total burned area by the end of the century, even with carbon reduction efforts. Strategies to mitigate worsening wildfires include better land management, such as creating fire breaks and controlled burns, though these are not solely sufficient, especially in unmanaged forests intensified by rising global temperatures.

Wildfires in France's Gironde region are intensifying as the area anticipates a new heatwave with temperatures potentially reaching 40C. One fire is located 15km from Bordeaux, significantly impacting air quality with smoke and ash, leading to residents and tourists wearing masks and staying indoors. Businesses in Bordeaux, including restaurants and shops, have experienced a sharp decline in activity, with some forced to close due to the conditions. A holidaymaker described the atmosphere as "eerie" and "very sad," while a local community president noted the unprecedented nature of the event, though he cautioned against comparisons to historical disasters. Firefighters are preparing for the challenging conditions expected with the rising temperatures.

France recorded over 5,700 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2 during an early summer heat wave, marking the country's deadliest heat-related toll in over two decades. Public Health France reported 21,674 deaths, a 36% increase from the expected 15,910. Temperatures exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas, with the Paris region experiencing the most severe impact. The elderly, particularly those 75 and older, accounted for roughly two-thirds of the excess deaths. This heat wave, noted for its early onset, intensity, and duration, exposed a large portion of the population to extreme heat. Provisional figures suggest over 10,000 excess deaths occurred across Europe during the heat wave's peak.