Europe's Wildfires Created Their Own Storms
Fires in Spain and France became one of the largest disasters in history.
1The Largest Fires in History
The wildfires that broke out in Spain and France in July 2026 were among the most devastating disasters either country had faced in decades. Spain's Ávila and Madrid regions and France's Gironde Department were the worst affected areas. The fires forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes.
2The Scale of the Fire in Spain
The Ávila fire in Spain burned approximately 50,000 hectares, making it the largest recorded wildfire in the country. It surpassed the 2025 fire that affected Larouco, Quiroga, and Oencia. NASA satellites first detected signs of the fire near Burgohondo on July 22.
3Destruction in France
The fire near Bordeaux in southwestern France became one of the largest fires the country had seen in decades. The village of Le Porge was completely destroyed, and over 42,000 hectares were burned. By the end of July, more than 90,000 hectares across France had been affected by the fires.
4Formation of Pyrocumulonimbus
On July 25, the fires in southwestern France became so intense that firefighters reported the formation of a pyrocumulonimbus, a type of fire cloud that draws convective energy from the heat of the fires. These clouds are monitored by atmospheric scientists. This was the first recorded case of such an event in France.
5Causes of the Fires
Researchers determined that conditions months before the fires began made Spain and France particularly vulnerable. An unusually wet winter led to dense plant growth in grasslands and forest understories. Subsequent heat waves and drought turned this vegetation into fuel.
6The Role of Wind
Several days of strong winds caused the fires to spread rapidly. Wind speeds reached up to 65 kilometers per hour, helping the flames advance quickly. These conditions made it difficult to bring the fires under control.
7Response Efforts
Thousands of firefighters and military personnel were deployed in both countries. Aircraft dropped water and flame retardants, while ground crews built firebreaks using equipment ranging from bulldozers to hand tools. By the end of July, some evacuation orders were lifted.
8Long-Term Impacts
Satellite observations provided by NASA and other organizations are used to monitor fire activity and study long-term trends. Tools like FIRMS and Worldview play a crucial role in tracking active fires. These fires serve as a stark reminder of the effects of climate change.