Thousands flee as wildfires hit France, Italy and Spain
Severe wildfires are impacting Sicily, France, and Spain, leading to thousands of evacuations and at least one fatality. Authorities attribute the intensity of the fires to extreme heat, dry conditions, and in some cases, suspected arson.
Why it matters
The event underscores the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change and their impact on public safety.
Wildfires have raged through Sicily, southwestern France and central Spain, sparking thousands of evacuations and claiming the life of an Italian firefighter.
Temperatures topped 40C and gusts of hot wind fanned the flames in the southern Italian island of Sicily, where wildfires have been burning for several days.
Some 6,000 firefighters, forest guards and civil protection officials were deployed to battle the flames with the help of water-bombing aircraft, the head of the region Renato Schifani said, adding that 50 fires were still raging.
Scientists agree that climate change caused by humans burning fossil fuels is making extreme weather events such as fires and heatwaves more likely and more severe.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said a firefighter died after falling ill while battling the flames.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in