Europe's historic heatwave worsens fires
Europe experienced a record-breaking heatwave during June and July, with temperatures reaching a new all-time high since record-keeping began. In June 2026, the average temperature was 20.74°C, which is 3.06°C above the usual average. Some areas in southern Spain saw temperatures exceeding 45°C. The heatwave led to over 10,000 additional deaths among the elderly and intensified wildfires that destroyed large stretches of forest, especially in Spain where 32,000 hectares burned. Authorities also faced disruptions in transportation and increased pressure on electricity grids. Additionally, drought and soaring temperatures resulted in a decline in European crop production valued at over two billion euros. The lowered water levels in the Rhine River caused navigational and transportation disruptions, with warnings of worsening impacts due to climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
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