The #wildfires threatening central #Spain & southwestern #France over the past 2 weeks may be small by American standards. In #Europe, though, they are tremendous. Some are the largest in their countries’ modern histories, raging in places not accustomed to fires of this scale: on the outskirts of Madrid, for instance, or near the ancient vineyards of Bordeaux.
Firefighters have been struggling to contain the #wildfires before another #heatwave descends on the region today, with temperatures soaring to 104°F (40°C). Last month was the hottest June on record in Western #Europe, & #climate experts say the continent can expect even higher temperatures in the future. The heat dries vegetation, making it more susceptible to fire. (It also exhausts firefighters.)
