Europe Faces Intense Wildfires Amid Record Heatwave

Aug 14, 2026

87 min

Aug 14, 2026 13:31

European countries battle multiple wildfires

## France Grapples with Widespread Fires

France is experiencing severe wildfires due to its driest year on record. In the Landes region, a fire forced over 500 residents to evacuate. This is part of a series of blazes affecting various parts of the country, including areas typically cooler and wetter. Recently, a major fire near Bordeaux displaced around 250,000 people. Additionally, six nuclear reactors were shut down due to extreme heat and jellyfish clogging a power plant.

## UK Records Hottest Day

In the UK, a significant fire in Stourbridge destroyed 20 to 30 homes. Residents were evacuated as the fire spread rapidly. The Met Office reported a temperature of 38.1°C in west London, marking the hottest day of the year. The country has faced a prolonged dry spell, with July being the driest month since 1836.

## Spain Moves Historical Artifacts

Spain relocated the remains of three 11th-century kings from a monastery in Aragón to protect them from an approaching wildfire. Another large fire in Huelva has burned over 300 square kilometers, leading to evacuations.

## Germany and Croatia Battle Fires

In Germany, the village of Gey was evacuated due to a wildfire in the Hürtgen forest, which was complicated by unexploded WWII ordnance. Meanwhile, in Croatia, a fire near Omis hospitalized 14 people and forced over 1,000 evacuations.

## Albania and Greece Take Precautions

Albania is dealing with multiple wildfires, with the largest near residential areas now under control. In Greece, over 300 people were evacuated by sea as a fire threatened homes.

## Belgium and Netherlands Brace for Heat

Belgium is expecting its highest temperature of the summer, reaching 37°C in Brussels. The Netherlands is also facing similar temperatures, although rain is anticipated soon.

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