"Europe's Devastating Wildfire Season: Unprecedented Heat and Drought Fuel Infernos A perfect storm of record-breaking heat and drought is wreaking havoc on Europe, with Spain and France among the worst-affected countries. The continent is experiencing an explosive fire season, with wildfires raging out of control due to a combination of factors. An unusually wet winter followed by extremely low rainfall since spring has left vegetation in western Europe dry and tinder-like, making it highly susceptible to ignition. Meanwhile, repeated heatwaves have pushed temperatures to new highs, further exacerbating the situation. As experts warn, human activity remains the primary cause of wildfires, with fine fuels such as grass, pine needles, and twigs being the most common ignition sources. But the recent weather conditions have made it easier for these fires to spread and resist control, leaving authorities scrambling to contain the blazes. Continue reading to learn more about the 'fire cloud' phenomenon and how it's contributing to Europe's worst wildfire season in recent history."
Wind and record-breaking heat are fuelling the continent’s explosive fire season, with Spain and France among worst hitExplainer: what is a ‘fire cloud’, and how have they worsened wildfires in Europe?A combination of an unusually wet winter, very low rainfall since spring and repeated record-breaking summer heatwaves is likely to explain why wildfires have ignited, spread and resisted control so readily across France and Spain in recent days.About 90% of wildfires are started by human activity, typically igniting “fine fuels” such as vegetation grass, pine needles, litter and twigs. And recent weather has almost certainly made ignition far easier. Drought in western Europe has turned this vegetation – which normally dries after only a few hours of heat and low rainfall – into tinder. Continue reading...
