After heatwave, wildfire rages across France, Spain; over 10,000 evacuated

Wildfires are rapidly spreading across parts of Europe, worsening conditions. But the issue of burning forests is not confined to Europe and has instead turned global.Smoke and flames rise in Le Porge as a wildfire burns in France. (Photo: Reuters)Southern Europe is battling a wave of destructive wildfires as soaring temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds fuel fast-moving blazes across Spain and France, destroying forests, stretching firefighting teams and forcing evacuations of over 10,000 residents in the regions, news agency Reuters reported.In Spain, firefighters are battling multiple wildfires across several regions, with authorities warning that extreme heat has created ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly. People are seen in a region facing forest fire in Spain. (Photo: AFP) Across the border in France, hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to contain major blazes as parts of the country continue to endure an intense summer heatwave that has already been linked to thousands of excess deaths.The fires come as much of Southern Europe remains under elevated wildfire risk due to persistent hot and dry weather. A wildfire burns in a forest area in France. (Photo: Reuters) WHY ARE EUROPE'S FORESTS BURNING?Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, but scientists say climate change is making them more frequent, larger and harder to control.Long periods of high temperatures dry out vegetation, turning grass, shrubs and forests into fuel. Strong winds can then carry embers over long distances, allowing fires to spread rapidly and ignite new blazes far from the original fire front. Wildfire advances in a region of Spain. (Photo: AP) According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with average temperatures rising at roughly twice the global rate.The combination of rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and declining soil moisture has significantly increased the risk of large wildfires, particularly across Mediterranean countries during summer. Smoke rises above the horizon as a wildfire advances near Guadalajara province, Spain. (Photo: AP) Authorities in both Spain and France have urged residents to avoid activities that could spark fires, while firefighting aircraft and ground crews continue efforts to protect homes and critical infrastructure.FORESTS BURN ACROSS THE GLOBEThe fires in Europe are unfolding against the backdrop of an exceptionally active wildfire season worldwide.Wildfires have swept through forests in southwest Turkey, destroying homes and forcing evacuations as helicopters and ground crews battle the blazes.A rapidly spreading wildfire in southwest Turkey has destroyed two homes and forced around 80 residents to evacuate as flames advanced through forests near Fethiye. Authorities deployed helicopters, aircraft, fire trucks and hundreds of emergency personnel to battle the blaze pic.twitter.com/zMvFJx3k8T— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 23, 2026In Canada, hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across several provinces, with smoke repeatedly drifting into parts of the United States and triggering hazardous air quality alerts.The country has endured another severe fire season following consecutive years of record-breaking blazes.The US is also battling large wildfires across several western states, where prolonged drought, heatwaves and dry forests have increased fire danger. Wildfire damage is pictured from the air in a remote region in Ontario, Canada. (Photo: PTI) While no individual wildfire can be attributed solely to climate change, the IPCC says human-caused warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of the hot, dry and windy conditions that make large wildfires more likely.With more heat forecast across Southern Europe, authorities warn that the wildfire threat is far from over.Firefighters remain on high alert as changing weather conditions could quickly ignite new blazes, making the coming weeks critical.- EndsPublished On: Jul 23, 2026 12:58 IST