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Destructive Fires Char Western Europe
In July 2026, destructive wildfires affected Spain and France, driven by heat waves, prolonged drought, and strong winds. These blazes were among the largest and most disruptive the two countries have faced in decades.
Why it matters
The fires caused hundreds of thousands of evacuations and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. Residents face ongoing risks as hot and dry conditions persist despite firefighting efforts.
The details
- Spain's Ávila fire is the largest on record, burning approximately 50,000 hectares.
- France recorded over 90,000 hectares burned across the country in late July.
- French firefighters reported the first-ever appearance of a pyrocumulonimbus 'fire cloud' in France.
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In this article
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Technologies
Key connections
Landsat 9 is built with Remote Sensing
Landsat 9 uses remote sensing technology to collect images of Earth.
European Forest Fire Information System is related to France
EFFIS tracks wildfire data across France and Europe.
The State of Wildfires Project is related to Spain
Researchers with The State of Wildfires Project analyzed wildfires in Spain.
Landsat 9 is related to Operational Land Imager
Landsat 9 carries the Operational Land Imager instrument.
U.S. Geological Survey uses Landsat 9
U.S. Geological Survey provides Landsat data captured by Landsat 9.
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