Wet Springs Now Weaponize Summer Heat Into Accelerated Wildfires

Europe's wildfire season has locked into a compound hazard: wet winters and springs grow vegetation, then record heatwaves in June desiccate that biomass into fuel. Scientists documented this pattern during Spain's 2025 record fires and again in 2026, when France burned 28,000 hectares and Spain 50,000 hectares by July—double seasonal averages. Night temperatures now 100 times more likely than two decades ago prevent vegetation recovery, extending burn windows.