Europe Wildfire-Prone Summer Days More Than Double Since 1981

A Continent Under Pressure

Europe has experienced a steady escalation in wildfire severity over recent years. The 2025 season set a record for destructive blazes, a benchmark that 2026 has already surpassed well before the traditional peak of the fire season. France's current wildfire is the largest since 1949, while Spain's blaze near Madrid is the biggest since national records began in 1961, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the current crisis.

The Scientific Reports study provides the climate context behind these events. Researchers found that fire weather, characterised by searing temperatures, low humidity, dryness and strong winds, has increased so sharply across southern Europe that the trend "can only be attributed to global warming," according to study co-author Raul Cordero. The effects are especially pronounced in France and Spain, the two countries that have faced the most severe blazes in recent weeks.

What the Study Revealed

Published Thursday in Scientific Reports, the study documented that summer days featuring fire-prone conditions have more than doubled across southern Europe since 1981. The researchers described this as a "major intensification" and concluded that the steep increase cannot be explained by natural variability alone, pointing instead to human-driven climate change as the primary driver.

The study's findings align with the real-world conditions observed across the continent this summer, where multiple countries have simultaneously confronted large-scale fires stretching emergency response capabilities. The combination of extreme heat, persistent dryness and strong winds has created conditions that allow fires to spread rapidly once ignited.

Current Situation and Outlook

As of Thursday, the immediate crisis has eased in France and Spain, where evacuees are returning home and emergency declarations are being lifted. However, the threat has migrated eastward, with active firefighting operations continuing in Greece, Turkiye and the United Kingdom. Greek authorities remain on high alert, with the prime minister cautioning that challenging days lie ahead. Further updates from affected countries are expected as conditions evolve.