Devastating European wildfires in maps - and how they're being tackled

Europe Climate Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:30:14 GMT High confidence — 78/100

These extreme and unpredictable conditions make the fires all the more difficult to stop.
To combat them, French firefighters have been using planes loaded with fire retardant, as well as planes like the Canadair, which can scoop 6,000 litres of water from lakes or the sea in 12 seconds and drop it directly on the fires.
On dangerous days, loaded aircraft patrol high-risk areas before any fires have been reported, so they can drop within minutes of a sighting.

These extreme and unpredictable conditions make the fires all the more difficult to stop.
To combat them, French firefighters have been using planes loaded with fire retardant, as well as planes like the Canadair, which can scoop 6,000 litres of water from lakes or the sea in 12 seconds and drop it directly on the fires.
On dangerous days, loaded aircraft patrol high-risk areas before any fires have been reported, so they can drop within minutes of a sighting.

Sources: BBC News