Europe wildfires climate change warning comes amid record heat
WHO says climate change is adding to fire frequency and intensity as France and Spain deploy thousands of firefighters.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Europe wildfires climate change warnings have intensified as fires burn across parts of western and southern Europe, with France and Spain among the countries hit hardest. The fires matter because governments are committing thousands of firefighters while neighboring countries send assistance to contain blazes authorities describe as unprecedented.
The World Health Organization has warned that climate change is contributing to the frequency and intensity of the fires, according to Al Jazeera’s Inside Story. The warning comes after record temperatures and repeated heatwaves across the continent since May.
France and Spain have deployed thousands of firefighters, Al Jazeera reported. Neighboring countries have also sent help, reflecting the scale of the emergency and the strain on national response systems.
What is causing the wildfires in Europe?
The World Health Organization says climate change is helping make fires more frequent and more intense. Al Jazeera linked that warning to the record heat and successive heatwaves Europe has experienced since May.
Heatwaves can dry vegetation and raise the risk that fires spread once they start. The material reported by Al Jazeera does not identify a single ignition source for the current fires, but it points to heat and climate change as major factors worsening the conditions.
Which countries are most affected?
France and Spain are among the hardest-hit countries, according to Al Jazeera. Both have sent thousands of firefighters into affected areas as wildfires continue to ravage parts of western and southern Europe.
Authorities have called the situation unprecedented, Al Jazeera reported. The description underscores both the severity of the fires and the difficulty of bringing them under control while heatwaves continue to affect the region.
Who is discussing the response?
Al Jazeera’s Inside Story examined the fires in a programme hosted by Per Nyberg. Guests included Eduardo Rojas, chairman of the board at the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification; Soraya Fettih, global campaigns coordinator at 350.org; and Laurie Laybourn, executive director of Strategic Climate Risks Initiative.
The programme focused on what it will take to put out the fires. Based on the reported conditions, the response now depends on large firefighting deployments, cross-border assistance and efforts to address the extreme heat that is making the fires harder to control.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.