Triple heatwaves kill 13 in Spain as wildfires break records across western Europe

Three heatwaves turned vegetation to tinder across western Europe in July 2026, killing 13 in Spain's Almería province and burning an unprecedented area of France. France, Portugal, and Spain each set wildfire records for mid-July. Firefighters backed by 30 aircraft were still battling blazes in northeastern Spain on July 17. Portugal had pre-requested EU aerial support on July 3.