Spain endures third heat wave as temperatures exceed 45 degrees
Spain's third heat wave brings temperatures above 45°C across multiple regions.
Event / Disaster
Europe Heat Wave 2026
Extreme heat affecting southern Europe with high temperatures, heat alerts, and health impacts across Mediterranean regions including France and Spain.
8 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 7 Jul, 10:53 UTC
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What happened
Train service disrupted at Gare de Lyon station due to wildfire
Train service to and from the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris was disrupted late Sunday but returned to normal Monday morning due to the nearby Fontainebleau forest fire.
A6 highway closed southeast of Paris due to fire risk
A section of the A6 highway leading southeast from Paris was shut down because of fire risk from the Fontainebleau forest wildfire.
Southern France wildfires scorch thousands of hectares, disrupt Tour de France
Large wildfires in southern France have burned thousands of hectares since last week, disrupting the Tour de France cycling race and stretching firefighting resources across the country.
Wildfire erupts in Fontainebleau forest south of Paris
A fire broke out Monday in the Fontainebleau forest, located approximately 70 kilometers south of Paris. The fire forced evacuations of residential neighborhoods and disrupted train and highway traffic in the region. Two water-dumping planes were deployed along with hundreds of firefighters on the ground to combat the blaze.
Europe warming twice as fast as global average since 1980s
Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the rate of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
France experiences third red-alert heat wave of summer with temperatures exceeding 40°C
France is experiencing the peak of its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F) across western and central areas and around 37°C (98°F) in Paris.
Spain experiences extreme heat and deadly wildfires in expat community
Spain is experiencing extreme heat and violent fires, including one that swept through a remote expat community last week, killing at least 12 people as residents attempted to flee the flames in cars and on foot.
400 firefighters mobilized to combat Fontainebleau wildfire
Approximately 400 firefighters, supported by 84 vehicles and equipment, were deployed at peak response levels to combat the Fontainebleau forest fire on Sunday night and Monday. This represented a major mobilization of emergency resources for the Île-de-France region.
Fire in Maine-et-Loire destroys two homes and burns 300 hectares
A wildfire in Maine-et-Loire burned approximately 300 hectares and destroyed two residential properties north of Angers on Sunday during the heat wave. The region was under maximum heat alert (red) status.
Spanish wildfire near Almería burns 7,000 hectares with 13 deaths
A major wildfire near Almería in Spain burned approximately 7,000 hectares and resulted in 13 confirmed deaths, including a British national who died in hospital. A French teacher named Stéphanie Navarro from Vaucluse remained missing in connection with the fire.
Heat wave reaches peak temperatures across France with 42.3°C recorded
France experienced its third major heat wave of 2026, peaking on Sunday with temperatures exceeding 40°C at over 70 weather stations. The highest temperature recorded was 42.3°C at Pissos in the Landes, while Saintes in Charente-Maritime recorded 41.8°C, breaking the monthly record. Thirty-seven departments were placed on maximum heat alert (red) through Monday evening.
TGV rail line closed due to Fontainebleau wildfire
The TGV Southeast rail line was closed as a result of the Fontainebleau wildfire, which spread across the railway tracks. Delays reached up to six hours on the Paris-Lyon axis departing from Gare de Lyon, significantly disrupting transport during a major weekend travel period.
A5 and A6 highways closed due to Seine-et-Marne wildfires
Both the A5 and A6 highways in Seine-et-Marne were temporarily closed on Sunday due to two separate wildfires in the region. The A5 was subsequently reopened, though traffic remained heavily disrupted during the peak weekend travel period.
France records 25,000 hectares burned year-to-date, double 2025 figure
According to the French Interior Minister, more than 25,000 hectares burned in France since the beginning of 2026, representing double the area burned during the same period in 2025. This reflects an escalation in wildfire activity during the year.
Massive wildfire in Fontainebleau Forest reaches 800 hectares
A wildfire of exceptional magnitude broke out in Fontainebleau Forest in Seine-et-Marne on Sunday evening near the A6 highway at Noisy-sur-École. By early Monday morning, the fire had spread across approximately 800 hectares of forest, making it the most significant wildfire to affect Île-de-France in recent times and requiring unprecedented emergency response measures for the region.
Three nuclear reactors shut down due to cooling water temperature constraints
Three nuclear reactors were brought offline on Sunday due to excessive ambient temperatures affecting cooling water discharge into rivers: Reactor 2 at Golfech (Tarn-et-Garonne) on the Garonne River, Reactor 3 at Bugey (Ain) on the Rhône River, and Reactor 2 at Chooz (Ardennes) on the Meuse River. Environmental regulations limit the temperature of discharge water into waterways. Additionally, eight other reactors operated at reduced power output.
Second major wildfire in Seine-et-Marne burns 300 hectares near Écrennes
A separate wildfire starting from Écrennes burned approximately 300 hectares in Seine-et-Marne on Sunday, crossing the A5 highway and the TGV Southeast rail line before being contained. This fire occurred simultaneously with the larger Fontainebleau fire.
Fifteen homes evacuated from Fontainebleau fire area
Approximately fifteen residential properties in the vicinity of the Fontainebleau forest fire were evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the intensity and rapid spread of the wildfire on Sunday evening.
Two Canadair water-bombing aircraft deployed to Fontainebleau fire
Two Canadair water-bombing aircraft were deployed on Monday morning in Seine-et-Marne to combat the Fontainebleau wildfire. This marked the first time such aircraft, typically reserved for major fires in southern France, were mobilized in the Île-de-France region. The aircraft were prepared to draw water from the Seine between Chartrettes and Bois-le-Roi.
37 French departments placed on red heat alert for July 14
Météo-France announced that 37 departments in France would be placed under red heat alert (vigilance rouge canicule) on Monday, July 14, 2026, with an additional 47 departments under orange alert. Only Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Hérault remained at green alert level.
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2 alternative perspectives
Thunderstorms sweep French Pyrenees as heatwave breaks
Thunderstorms strike French Pyrenees and eastern regions amid heatwave transition.
Mediterranean heat alert downgraded as conditions moderate across France
Mediterranean heat alerts downgraded as dangerous thermal conditions gradually retreat from France.
France braces for violent storms as heatwave emergency recedes
Violent storms with 20,000 lightning strikes threaten fifteen French departments as heatwave eases.
Mediterranean wildfire risk escalates as French regions face elevated danger
Mediterranean French regions face elevated wildfire risk as fire danger remains critical in Corsica and Var.
Heat retreats southeast as France issues orange alerts
Heat retreating southeast places seven French departments on orange alert with temperatures reaching 39-40°C.
Algeria's heat crisis kills 11 in orphanage fire amid nationwide emergency
Algeria's heat emergency kills 11 in orphanage fire as nearly 1,000 fires erupt nationwide.
Storm warnings emerge as France's heatwave subsides and fire risks persist
Storm alerts issued for 15 French departments as heatwave subsides but wildfire risks persist.
France downgrades heat alerts as regional emergency begins easing
France downgrades heat alerts in multiple regions as temperatures moderate, signaling emergency easing after peak crisis.
Arson suspects detained as Fontainebleau fire scorches 2,000 hectares
Two 18-year-olds charged in Fontainebleau forest arson consuming 2,000 hectares; 950 firefighters deployed amid France's wildfire emergency.
France braces for thunderstorms and wildfires as heat emergency eases
Thunderstorm and hail warnings issued for 15 French departments as wildfire risk persists in nine regions.
Macron visits Fontainebleau as France deploys elite firefighting response
Macron visits Fontainebleau fire zone while France deploys Europe's premier aerial firefighting fleet.