France battles record-breaking wildfires as scientists warn of accelerating forest die‑off

France is confronting the most extensive forest fires since World War II, with flames raging in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris. President Emmanuel Macron visited the site, noting that about ten percent of the woodland has been destroyed and that the summer ahead is expected to be harsh. Investigations are under way after a construction‑related spark and a separate arson incident were linked to the blaze. Simultaneous fires are engulfing parts of Aragon in Spain, prompting evacuations of several villages and involving hundreds of firefighters, while a blaze in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park has forced local evacuations.

A separate scientific study of more than 500,000 French trees from 2015‑2023 identifies a mix of seasonal climate stresses—dry springs, warm summers, and variable rainfall—as the driver of rising tree mortality across Europe. Researchers advise planting drought‑resistant species and adjusting forest management to cope with diminishing water supplies.