Heatwave Threatens to Intensify Wildfires Across France, Spain

A new heatwave forecast across France and Spain is expected to intensify some of Europe's worst wildfires in decades, raising fears that extreme temperatures will undermine firefighting efforts and accelerate the spread of the blazes.

Forecasters warned temperatures could reach 40°C in France from Tuesday, while Spain is expected to endure highs of up to 42°C in the northeast and 39°C in central regions later this week. Authorities said the combination of intense heat, dry winds and low humidity would push wildfire conditions to extreme levels.

Thousands of firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft, are battling to contain multiple fires before conditions deteriorate further. Climate experts have linked the severity of this year's wildfire season to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves driven by climate change.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron noted that a major fire in the Landes region had been brought under control, but a larger blaze near Bordeaux continued to burn after consuming around 42,000 hectares.

The wildfire has forced approximately 220,000 people to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes. 

Officials said 93 firefighters have been injured since operations began, while Germany has deployed helicopters, an A400M transport aircraft and firefighting equipment to support the response.

In Spain, wildfires west of Madrid and in other regions have displaced around 60,000 people. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said firefighters had made progress after a "positive night" but warned that the coming days would be critical as soaring temperatures threaten to reignite and expand existing fires.

Since the start of the year, wildfires have burned about 150,000 hectares in Spain and 115,000 hectares in France, making 2026 one of the most destructive fire seasons in recent European history.