‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts
Recent wildfires in France and Spain are described as 'off the charts' due to extreme heat and unprecedented fire behavior, including the formation of fire thunderstorms. The burned area in France has already significantly exceeded previous records, prompting concerns about the future of the fire season.
Why it matters
The analysis provides scientific context for the severity of current wildfires, emphasizing the role of climate change in creating extreme weather conditions.
Residents of Cotignac, France, faced a rapidly intensifying wildfire on July 21 2026. FBM Media/Getty https://theconversation.com/the-fire-has-such-power-why-the-wildfires-gripping-france-and-spain-are-off-the-charts-288507 https://theconversation.com/the-fire-has-such-power-why-the-wildfires-gripping-france-and-spain-are-off-the-charts-288507 Link copied Share article Share article
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Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in southwestern France and Spain as extreme wildfires intensify. At least three people have died, including two firefighters . Many houses have been lost.
While this region is no stranger to fire, our analysis shows these wildfires are off the charts. A very hot summer primed many areas for fire. When they ignited, they spread ferociously. The area of land burned in France is already 40% larger than the previous record year.
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