Wildfires Break Out across UK amid Record High Temperature

Aug 13, 2026 | Thursday’s amber extreme heat warning from the Met Office covered a huge area of central England, stretching from London to Sheffield.

The temperature at Kew reached 38.1 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of the year so far.

Across the country, the tinder dry conditions have seen fire crews having to deal with numerous wildfire outbreaks.

The Royal College of Nursing has warned that hospitals and care homes are getting so hot, they aren't just causing difficulties for patients; even some of the nursing staff are passing out while on shift.

And this latest heatwave, made more extreme by fossil fuel pollution, is not just causing problems for humans; zoos are also having to adapt to care for their animals.

Wildfire Disaster Spirals across Greece as Emergency Crews Battle Flames | World News

Augist 4, 2026 | Greece is battling a rapidly escalating wildfire emergency as multiple blazes spread across the country, forcing evacuations and prompting a massive response from firefighters and emergency services. Authorities are working to protect homes, infrastructure, and communities while strong winds and dry conditions continue to fuel the fires. The situation remains critical as officials monitor the spread of the flames and assess the damage. …

Hundreds of Homes Lost as Wildfires Rage in Washington | BBC News

August 3, 2026 | Hundreds of people have lost their homes and thousands more have been evacuated from the path of extreme wildfires in and around Spokane, in the US state of Washington.

Officials say it's currently the biggest wildfire emergency in the United States, and among the worst disasters in the city's history.

Washington's governor Ben Ferguson said he's spoken with President Trump, who, he says, expressed concern about the situation.

Greece Wildfires Rage Near Athens as Strong Winds Fuel Massive Blaze and Evacuations

August 1, 2026 | Wildfires fuelled by powerful winds swept across several parts of Greece, including areas near Athens, forcing evacuations and triggering a major emergency response.

Reuters footage from Porto Germeno shows firefighters battling fast-moving flames as thick smoke engulfs forests and roadside vegetation. Emergency responders described the conditions as "extremely hard", with wind gusts making the fire's direction unpredictable. Residents also spoke of losing olive groves and seeing neighbouring homes destroyed.

More than 300 firefighters, dozens of fire engines, aircraft and heavy machinery have been deployed as authorities continue efforts to contain the blazes.

Wildfire in Suffolk, UK, Not Yet Under Control, Fire Service Says | BBC News

July 30, 2026 | A UK wildfire the equivalent size of 140 football pitches is not yet under control, the fire service has said.

The blaze broke out on Dunwich Heath in Suffolk on Wednesday, with a major incident declared "due to the size and complexity" of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Greece is also among many European countries facing devastating fires and drought.

Several fires have continued to burn in Spain and Portugal, although Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared an end to the national emergency for wildfires in the Ávila and Madrid regions.

In south-west France some residents have been able to return to their homes after a major wildfire in the Gironde region.

Why European Wildfires Are Spreading Faster Than Ever

July 28, 2026 | In France and Spain wildfires have been ripping through communities, forcing 325,000 to flee. And it’s not just mainland Europe feeling the heat. In Britain, wildfires have broken out across the country. So what does the future hold?

Europe Wildfires: France Warns of Worst Crisis "Since WW2” as New Heatwave Looms | BBC News

July 27, 2026 | More than 360,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain as unprecedented wildfires continue to spread.

The French President Emmanuel Macron held crisis talks and said his country was facing its most difficult situation since the Second World War.

Firefighters are still struggling to control the fires, as a new heatwave is forecast to bring further hot, dry conditions that could help fuel the blaze.

The authorities are warning that a major fire which is now just 9 miles from Bordeaux could continue to burn for months.

In Spain, more than 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes near the capital Madrid.

Fiona Bruce presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Gwyn Loader, Justin Rowlatt and Mark Lowen.

Wildfires: ‘Many Thousands’ of Brits Caught in Spain and France Devastation

Jul 27, 2026 | “The situation remains very, very alarming.”

It’s estimated “many, many thousands” of British tourists and expats have been caught up in the devastating wildfires in Spain and France. The Times’s correspondent in France Adam Sage and The Times’s correspondent in Spain Simon Hunter report.

Pressure Grows on Residents of Southern French City to Flee Wildfires | DW News

July 26, 2026 | As wildfires rage in France and Spain, the pressure is growing on the mayor of Bordeaux to order a full evacuation of the historic city. Police nearby are going door-to-door to try to get people out of danger.

France Battles Fire 'Whirlwinds' as Another 55,000 Evacuated | BBC News

July 26, 2026 | A further 55,000 people have been evacuated from six towns in France, as wildfires which have caused devastation across the country pick up pace.

The most recent evacuations took place in towns to the south of Bordeaux, in the Gironde region.

Wildfires have raged across Europe over the past week, primarily France and Spain, where more than 330,000 people have been evacuated.

Firefighters in Spain and France Battle Raging Wildfires

Jul 25, 2026 | Footage shows the extent of the devastation caused by wildfires in Cenicientos in the Madrid region of Spain on Friday. Members of Spain's military emergency unit sought to contain the blazes in the Madrid region and in Cuevas de Cañart in the country's north-east.

In France, dozens of firefighters battled flames threatening homes around the towns of Saumos and Sainte-Hélène in the south-west on Friday as a wildfire swept in the nearby forest. The virulence of the wildfires, fuelled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of the climate crisis, caught fire crews and authorities off guard in both countries France and Spain race to control wildfires as more than 250,000 evacuated.

Firefighters Battle to Contain France and Spain Wildfires as Thousands Evacuated | BBC News

July 25, 2026 | Firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires raging across Europe.

An evacuation alert for residents in the south-west of France takes the number of people displaced to more than 220,000.

In Spain, about 25,000 were told to evacuate as a local official says that containing wildfires near Madrid is "beyond the capacity" of firefighters.

A major incident has also been declared by Police Scotland, as emergency services continue to tackle a wildfire which has been burning in the Cairngorms National Park for 10 days.

Spain in Flames: 12,000-hectare Blaze Threatens Uncastillo as Firefighters Battle Inferno

July 17, 2026 | Spanish firefighters and the Military Emergency Unit battled a fast-moving wildfire near Uncastillo in Spain's Aragon region after the blaze scorched around 12,000 hectares across Zaragoza province.

Emergency crews worked to protect evacuated communities as shifting winds pushed the fire through forests, scrubland, and farmland. More than 1,100 residents have been affected by evacuation orders across several towns, while authorities maintained the highest operational response under Aragon's wildfire emergency plan.

The wildfire comes amid an intense heatwave that has heightened fire risks across Spain.

Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs over Wildfire Smoke | DW News

July 18, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada, accusing it of allowing wildfire smoke to drift into the United States and calling it an "unnecessary invasion" of polluted air.

As hundreds of wildfires burn across Canada -- many of them out of control -- thick smoke has spread across Washington, New York, and other US cities, reducing visibility, and sending air quality to hazardous levels. I

n this DW News report we examine the growing political dispute between Washington and Ottawa, the impact on millions of people, and the science behind how wildfire smoke can travel thousands of kilometers across North America.

Senior meteorologist Matthew Cappucci of MyRadar explains why these smoke events are becoming more common, how climate change influences wildfire seasons, the health risks posed by prolonged exposure, and why environmental disasters ignore national borders.

How Canada's Wildfires Are Affecting Millions across North America | DW News

Jul 16, 2026 | From freight trains surrounded by flames to cities shrouded in smoke, Canada's wildfire crisis is being felt far beyond the fire zones themselves. As air quality deteriorates across parts of Canada and the US, we speak to Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director of Climate Science at the University of Waterloo, about the health risks of prolonged smoke exposure and whether these cross-border smoke events are becoming the new normal.

Brits in Spain Describe Deadly Wildfire: 'There's Nothing As Far As the Eye Can See'

Jul 13, 2026 | Officials in southern Spain say a wildfire in Andalucía, which has killed at least 12 people, has now been "stabilised". More than 20 people are still missing.

Sky's Alistair Bunkall spoke to residents returning to their homes.

Wildfires Burn in UK and Europe as Heatwaves Continue | BBC News

Jul 14, 2026 | Temperature records have been broken across Europe, with extreme heat and dry weather resulting in multiple wildfires across the continent.

And with the heatwave set to continue in the UK, areas in the south of England are facing an "exceptional" risk of wildfires in the coming days.

The Big Story looks into how wildfires actually start, and how best to avoid them.

Wildfires in the UK and Europe as Heatwaves Continue | BBC News

Jul 13, 2026 | Wildfires of 'exceptional scale' have taken force in Paris, as neighbouring Spain still tackles flames across the country following its own devastating fires.

Now the UK is also experiencing wildfires in England and Wales, as its third heatwave of the year is set to intensify again this week.

Here’s what we know so far about the extent of wildfires in Europe and the UK, and how heatwaves are impacting them.

Why Fleeing a Wildfire Can Be Deadly | DW News

Jul 12, 2026 | In Spain, a fast-moving wildfire killed at least 12 people — several of them apparently while trying to escape.

Authorities say some victims left their cars or ignored shelter instructions as flames raced through southern Andalusia.

So, when a wildfire closes in, what is safer: run, drive, or stay put?

DW speaks to Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director, Climate Science at Intact Centre

Wildfires in Andalucía

MARK ALEXANDER: Naturally, I am very distressed by ALL the wildfires in Europe at this time. But in the last couple of days, I have been particularly concerned about, and distressed by, the wildfires in southern Spain, in Andalucía, in and around Granada and Almería. I get several very loyal visitors from this area of Spain, and I have done for a very long time, so I am particularly concerned about their welfare at this extremely dangerous time.

I don’t know these people—I wish I did—, but to care about them and their welfare, I don’t have to.

I keep looking on the map to see if they have visited me, and when I see that they have at this extremely dangerous time for them, I am greatly relieved. Then, I know that at least they are still alive!

Mark Alexander