Wildfires are continuing to devastate regions of France and Spain, with experts attributing their ferocity to a combination of unusual weather patterns and a build-up of flammable vegetation. Dr Francesca Di Giuseppe, Fire Forecast Coordinator at the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), highlighted a 'hydroclimatic rebound' as a key factor in Spain. This phenomenon involves a relatively wet spring promoting significant vegetation growth, followed by persistent heat, minimal rainfall, and low humidity that rapidly dries soils and plant life. These conditions create an abundance of highly flammable material, which, combined with very high temperatures, exceptionally low humidity, and strong winds, allows any ignition to spread rapidly and makes suppression extremely challenging.
Víctor Resco de Dios, a Lecturer of Forestry Engineering and Global Change at the University of Lleida, warned that the intensity of fire seasons has surged by an average of 30-40 per cent over recent decades. He explained that this increase is driven by two main factors: the energy stored in the countryside as biomass, a consequence of rural depopulation and, at times, overly protectionist environmental policies; and an atmosphere laden with drying energy, resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. Resco de Dios emphasised that the type of fuel, specifically the quantity and spatial connection of biomass, is more critical than the specific type of vegetation.
Contrary to common belief, he noted that 70 per cent of what burns is scrubland, and the area of pine forest affected is actually decreasing. Fires in eucalyptus plantations remain rare due to their limited coverage. He also pointed out that protected areas are burning more frequently, not because they are inherently bad, but due to the continuous vegetation and biomass within them, underscoring the necessity of active fuel and fire management.
Eduardo Rojas Briales, a Lecturer at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, corroborated these observations, pointing to two consecutive years of heavy rainfall in the affected Spanish regions, abruptly halted in May, followed immediately by consistently high temperatures and low humidity. He added that the specific geography of the Central Mountain Range, with its lower altitude peaks, results in more xerophytic (drought-adapted) and fire-prone vegetation compared to other areas.
Experts are stressing the importance of managing biomass and creating 'mosaic landscapes' – areas where discontinuities are introduced into the vegetation to reduce flame intensity and aid firefighters. This involves strategic management of one million hectares nationwide, focusing on containment corridors at national and regional levels, strategic points in mountain ranges, and local prevention plans. For homes situated in urban-forest interfaces, detailed guides are available for residents to implement protective measures in collaboration with local councils.
As of 24 July 2026, the Met Office has not issued any specific warnings for the UK directly related to these French and Spanish wildfires, though conditions in Southern Europe remain a concern for travellers. The UK continues to monitor its own fire risk, particularly in areas with dry vegetation. Temperatures across the UK today are generally mild, with England experiencing highs of 22°C, Scotland 18°C, Wales 20°C, and Northern Ireland 19°C. Winds are light across the country, typically between 5-10 mph.