Southern Europe wildfires amid drought

In late July 2026 climate expert Gerrit Hiemstra highlighted the intensifying drought across Southern Europe, linking it to a surge in forest fires and low river levels. He cited a recent blaze in the Barend Bos near Barendrecht, Netherlands, as an example of how dry conditions and human activity, such as discarded barbecue embers, are igniting fires. Hiemstra called for an end to fossil‑fuel use and discussed local debates over temporary bans on open flames.

Two days later, fire‑engineering consultant Lars‑Göran Uddholm described the same wildfire season as exceeding the capacity of human control. He emphasized that the spread of the blazes is driven primarily by weather—high heat, wind, and the lack of rain—making firefighting outcomes largely dependent on atmospheric conditions. Uddholm noted the heightened danger of night‑time operations and referenced the severe fire activity in France’s Lacanau and near Bordeaux, underscoring the regional scale of the crisis.