Meteorological conditions have had a significant impact on the wildfires tearing through Spain and other parts of Western Europe, the WMO said on Tuesday (July 28), warning that successive heatwaves, parched soils and worsening drought have created ideal conditions for extreme fire behaviour.
"We've had heatwave, after heatwave, after heatwave in the past few weeks. We have got very, very dry soils in many parts of Europe," World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis told reporters, adding that climate change-driven extreme heat was increasing the risk of dangerous fire weather.
While weather alone does not start wildfires, factors such as strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions can accelerate their spread, she said.
Nullis pointed to dramatic fire behaviour already being observed in France, where a blaze generated a storm cloud created by the fire itself.
"It's where the fire literally creates its own weather," she said. She also warned that another spell of extreme heat was imminent in Europe.Her comments came as firefighters battled major wildfires across France and Spain that have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Authorities reported some progress overnight, with a forest blaze near Bordeaux contained and residents allowed to return to nine towns in Spain's Toledo province.
But fires remained out of control in the Madrid region and nearby provinces as Spain prepared for its fourth heatwave of the summer from Wednesday (July 29), with temperatures forecast to climb well above historical averages. Scientists say human-driven climate change is intensifying the heat and drought that allow wildfires to spread faster, burn longer and become more destructive.
