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Belgium is battling its worst wildfire on record in the High Fens area, with flames consuming 2,700 hectares and forcing 600 residents to evacuate. The blaze, driven by extreme heat and difficult terrain, has prompted international assistance.
The UK government is holding an emergency Cobra meeting to coordinate response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought. The Met Office has issued a rare amber heat warning as the nation faces its hottest summer on record.
A major wildfire in British Columbia continues to spread uncontrollably, displacing over 20,000 residents across an area exceeding 100 square kilometres. International support and federal assistance have been activated.
Severe drought conditions causing record low water levels on the Rhine River near Cologne have unveiled a 500-kilogramme World War II-era bomb. German explosives experts prepared to safely defuse the device while evacuating nearby residents and workers.
Greece has declared a red alert for three regions including Athens due to very high wildfire risk on Thursday, mobilising emergency services at full capacity as firefighters battle ongoing blazes.
South Korea has recorded 21 deaths from heat-related illnesses in 2024, already surpassing last year's total despite fewer overall cases. Extreme temperatures continue across the country, with Seoul facing a high-alert heat wave.
Record-breaking drought conditions have pushed the Danube River to its lowest levels on record, stranding ships, forcing nuclear reactor shutdowns, and exposing dangerous World War II munitions across Central Europe.
Catastrophic wildfires across Washington state have forced 65,000 people to evacuate, with preliminary assessments confirming the destruction of more than 700 homes. Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man on arson charges in connection with one of the blazes.
Southeast Asian governments tackle pressing challenges this week: Indonesia mobilises ground forces against forest fires, the Philippines prepares for tropical depression Luis, Singapore expands language education, and Thailand eyes record border crossings.
France is confronting an extraordinary wildfire season, with 119,000 hectares consumed by flames since January and authorities warning of continued elevated danger across Mediterranean and western regions.
France's wildfire crisis has intensified sharply, with 89 firefighters now injured while combating massive forest blazes. The Gironde department alone has seen 220,000 evacuations and 42,000 hectares consumed by flames.
Spain's government declared a national emergency as devastating wildfires near Madrid forced almost 60,000 residents to evacuate. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed cautious optimism about controlling the blazes over the weekend.
A destructive wildfire in southeastern France's Var department has consumed 1,700 hectares of land, forcing the evacuation of approximately 400 residents and leaving 2,300 households without electricity. The blaze represents part of a record-breaking wildfire season across France.
France is grappling with its worst wildfire season since World War II, with nearly 40,000 hectares of forest and vegetation destroyed in 2026 alone. The crisis has been fuelled by an exceptional heat wave sweeping the country.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's travel to the World Cup final in New York faced disruption when smoke from Canadian wildfires forced the cancellation of her scheduled flight. She subsequently travelled overnight via military aircraft.
Donald Trump has blamed Canada for wildfire smoke drifting into the United States and threatened to raise tariffs unless Ottawa addresses the pollution. Ontario's premier countered that politicians should send help rather than complain.
Spain's largest wildfire this year has engulfed 12,000 hectares in Zaragoza province, forcing evacuations of more than 1,100 people. Firefighters and military personnel continue intensive operations as multiple blazes threaten communities across the country.
A major wildfire ravaging the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris has consumed 800 hectares, prompting the evacuation of over 1,000 residents and tourists. French authorities suspect deliberate arson based on multiple fire outbreaks within a limited area.
The World Health Organisation has warned Europe faces another deadly heatwave, with temperatures in Portugal and southern Spain expected to reach 43°C. WHO officials urge countries to strengthen health response plans, noting that fewer than half of European nations have dedicated heat-health strategies.