Paris (France) (AFP) – Countries across Europe were battling a wave of new wildfires Friday as blistering temperatures and tinder-dry landscapes made for dangerous conditions.
Issued on: 14/08/2026 - 12:28
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Europe is the fastest-warming continent and, in some places, ill-equipped to deal with hot weather. Scientists blame ever hotter and more frequent heatwaves on human-caused climate change.What has become a historically hot summer of wildfires has contributed to the deaths of thousands of people.Friday is expected to see some 150 million Europeans -- particularly in France, Germany, Spain and Italy -- experience temperatures over 35C, according to AFP calculations.And temperatures of over 30C are set to affect some 350 million residents, accounting for three in five people in Europe (excluding Turkey), an AFP analysis of German weather service and Joint Research Centre population data found. - France - France, which has already suffered a series of major fires this season, saw another start in the southwest that forced more than 500 people to flee, officials said Friday. The blaze has already burned 1,100 hectares (about 2,700 acres) in the department of Landes, approaching the village of Luglon.Fire chief Arnaud Fabre said the fire was slowing down but he added he was concerned about potential flare-ups with temperatures of up to 36C expected locally.This latest fire came as much of the country is gripped by a heatwave. Germany
