‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts

Residents of Cotignac, France, faced a rapidly intensifying wildfire on July 21 2026. FBM Media/Getty Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in southwestern France and Spain as extreme wildfires intensify. At least three people have died, including two firefighters. Many houses have been lost. While this region is no stranger to fire, our analysis shows these wildfires are off the charts. A very hot summer primed many areas for fire. When they ignited, they spread ferociously.…