In late July 2026, devastating wildfires driven by extreme heat, drought, and strong winds swept across southern and western Europe, with severe fires also breaking out in Scotland's Cairngorms region, prompting thousands of evacuations.
- Severe wildfires in Scotland's Cairngorms forced thousands of evacuations.
- France suffered its worst fires since WWII, losing 10% of the Forest of Fontainebleau and activating EU civil protection aid.
- Fires also broke out in Spain's Aragon and Madrid regions, displacing many residents.
- At least four firefighters died across the affected European countries.