Europe burns: a visual guide to the wildfires
Severe wildfires are ravaging parts of France and Spain, fueled by record-breaking heatwaves and climate-driven drought conditions. The article uses visual data to illustrate the scale of destruction and the link between fossil fuel emissions and extreme weather events.
Why it matters
The report highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters in Europe, emphasizing the 'firewave' phenomenon.
Wildfires in Arès, south-west France, 25 July 2026. Ferocious flames continue to rage in parts of France and Spain, with no sign of abating. We chart the destruction in graphics and pictures
Prefer the Guardian on Google T he hellish infernos that have torn through parts of France and Spain have caused deaths, the evacuation of 330,000 people from their homes, widespread destruction and clouds of toxic smoke. Records have already been smashed and with the fourth heatwave of the European summer setting in, there are few signs of the waves of wildfires ending.
France has already surpassed the worst previous year for the size of the area burned, with August, usually the hottest month, yet to come.
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