{"id":494093,"date":"2026-07-31T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T14:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T04:01:00","slug":"destructive-fires-char-western-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093","title":{"rendered":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Earth Observatory<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 hds-secondary-navigation-has-breadcrumbs\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-breadcrumbs display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-flex flex-align-center\">\n<nav class=\"usa-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list\">\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Science<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Earth Observatory<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current\" aria-current=\"page\"><span>Destructive Fires Char Western\u2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\">\n<nav>\n<ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\">\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Observatory<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/image-of-the-day\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Image of the Day<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/explorer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">EO Explorer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Topics<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/\" rel=\"noopener\">All Topics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/atmosphere\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Atmosphere<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/land\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Land<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/heat-radiation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Heat &#038; Radiation<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/life-on-earth\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Life on Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/human-dimensions\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Human Dimensions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/natural-events\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Natural Events<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/oceans\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Oceans<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/remote-sensing-technology\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Remote Sensing Technology<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/snow-and-ice\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Snow &#038; Ice<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/topics\/water\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Water<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>More Content<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/collections\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Collections<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/global-maps\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Maps<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/world-of-change\/\" rel=\"noopener\">World of Change<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/feature-articles\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Articles<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blogs\/earth-matters\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Matters Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/blue-marble-next-generation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Blue Marble: Next Generation<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/kids\/earth\/eo-kids\/\" rel=\"noopener\">EO Kids<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/kids\/earth\/mission-biomes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mission: Biomes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>About<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/about-the-eo\/\" rel=\"noopener\">About Us<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\/feeds\/\" rel=\"noopener\">\ud83d\udedc RSS<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/contact-the-eo\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact Us<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/search\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Search<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-spacer\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A brown patch of burned vegetation is visible on the landscape surrounding two reservoirs in a hilly region west of Madrid.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Charred landscapes surround reservoirs in central Spain in an image captured by the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-9\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9<\/a> on July 29, 2026. The <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/how-to-interpret-a-false-color-satellite-image\/\" rel=\"noopener\">false-color image<\/a> combines observations at visible, near-infrared, and shortwave-infrared wavelengths (<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/spectral-bands-and-applications\/\" rel=\"noopener\">bands 6-5-3<\/a>), making it easier to distinguish brown burned vegetation from green unburned vegetation.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory \/ Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wildland fires occur across Europe every summer, but those that erupted in Spain and France in July 2026 were among the largest and most disruptive the two countries have faced in decades. Some of the most consequential fires emerged in southwestern France\u2019s Gironde Department and Spain\u2019s \u00c1vila<strong> <\/strong>and Madrid provinces in mid-July, where blazes forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Government officials in Spain say that a fire in \u00c1vila, after charring around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20260729-spain-s-three-worst-wildfires-since-1961-happened-in-last-two-years\" rel=\"noopener\">50,000 hectares<\/a><strong> <\/strong>(124,000 acres), is<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rtve.es\/noticias\/20260727\/incendio-avila-mas-grande-historia-espana\/17170323.shtml\" rel=\"noopener\">the largest<\/a> on record, surpassing <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/smoke-blankets-the-iberian-peninsula-154691\/\" rel=\"noopener\">a blaze<\/a><strong> <\/strong>that burned in Larouco, Quiroga, and Oencia in 2025. NASA satellites first observed signs of the \u00c1vila fire burning near Burgohondo on <a href=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4ccsMIz\" rel=\"noopener\">July 22<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4h4SSAM\" rel=\"noopener\">July 23<\/a>. By July 24, it <a href=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4yOvRZb\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4yOvRZb\" rel=\"noopener\">had merged<\/a> with fires in neighboring provinces, pushing the total area burned to 77,000 hectares, an area about the size of New York City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The image above, captured by <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-9\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9<\/a>, shows charred landscapes around Burgohondo on July 29, 2026<strong>. <\/strong>In the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/how-to-interpret-a-false-color-satellite-image\/\" rel=\"noopener\">false-color<\/a> image, unburned vegetation appears light green, and burned areas appear brown. The two reservoirs in the center of the image were heavily affected. Flames tore through homes, restaurants, campgrounds, marinas, and other infrastructure surrounding the reservoirs, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/elpais.com\/espana\/2026-07-28\/ceniza-barcos-calcinados-y-agua-negra-en-el-pantano-de-san-juan-tras-el-paso-de-las-llamas.html\" rel=\"noopener\">news reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A similar crisis unfolded in southwestern France, <a href=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4wPFqpv\" rel=\"noopener\">west of Bordeaux<\/a>. One of the largest fires to burn in France <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/07\/28\/world\/europe\/france-spain-wildfires-2026-fire-season.html\" rel=\"noopener\">this decade<\/a> charred more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.europe1.fr\/societe\/incendie-en-gironde-42000-hectares-brules-220000-evacues-trafic-autoroutier-et-ferroviaire-perturbe-987642\" rel=\"noopener\">42,000 hectares<\/a>, prompting large-scale evacuations and devastating the village of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/world\/human-made-forest-france-wildfires-9.7287788\" rel=\"noopener\">Le Porge<\/a>. As of late July, fires had burned more than 90,000 hectares across France, more than any other season in decades, according to data from the <a href=\"https:\/\/forest-fire.emergency.copernicus.eu\/apps\/effis.statistics\/seasonaltrend\" rel=\"noopener\">European Forest Fire Information System<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Environmental conditions months before the fires ignited made the landscape in both Spain and France particularly susceptible to burning, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/stateofwildfires.com\/news\/understanding-spains-2026-wildfires-through-hydroclimatic-rebound\/\" rel=\"noopener\">an analysis<\/a> conducted by researchers with The State of Wildfires Project. Unusually wet winter weather enhanced vegetation growth in grasslands, shrublands, and forest understories, and then a series of sweltering heat waves and a period of drought parched the vegetation and primed it to burn. Several days of strong winds reaching <a href=\"https:\/\/stateofwildfires.com\/news\/understanding-spains-2026-wildfires-through-hydroclimatic-rebound\/\" rel=\"noopener\">65 kilometers (40 miles)<\/a> per hour at times served as the final trigger, the researchers found, fanning flames and encouraging rapid spread.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 25, conditions at fires in southwestern France grew so intense that French firefighters <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20260726-french-firefighters-face-pyrocumulonimbus-for-first-time\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a> the formation of a <a href=\"https:\/\/glossary.ametsoc.org\/wiki\/pyrocumulonimbus\/\" rel=\"noopener\">pyrocumulonimbus<\/a>\u2014a towering type of \u201cfire cloud\u201d that draws convective energy from the heat of the fires. An <a href=\"https:\/\/groups.io\/g\/pyrocb\" rel=\"noopener\">international group<\/a> of atmospheric scientists and fire experts who track the unusual clouds has <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41612-025-01188-5\" rel=\"noopener\">documented<\/a> the occasional formation of the clouds in Spain and Portugal in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41612-025-01188-5\/figures\/3\" rel=\"noopener\">recent decades<\/a>, but members of the group note that this is the first report of a fire in France producing one.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thousands of firefighters and military personnel have battled fires in both countries. Crews have used aircraft to attack the fires with water and flame retardant, while teams on the ground have constructed firebreaks using tools ranging from bulldozers to hand tools. Firefighters gained the advantage by late July, allowing authorities to start <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/france-spain-greece-wildfires-heat-climate-change-de0bfabe2249153afc0e16da2f7e02f3\" rel=\"noopener\">lifting evacuation orders<\/a>. However, forecasters are <a href=\"https:\/\/joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu\/projects-and-activities\/natural-and-man-made-hazards\/forest-fires\/current-wildfire-situation-europe_en\" rel=\"noopener\">warning<\/a> that the risk of fire in the coming days remains high due to the persistence of hot, dry conditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Government satellite data are part of a global system of observations used to track fire behavior and analyze emerging trends. Among the real-time wildfire monitoring tools that NASA makes available are <a href=\"https:\/\/firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov\/map\/#d:2026-07-24,2026-07-24;l:fires_all,country-outline,aqua_crc,earth;@-4.29,40.41,9.55z\" rel=\"noopener\">FIRMS<\/a> (Fire Information for Resource Management System) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/go.nasa.gov\/4pS7cij\" rel=\"noopener\">Worldview<\/a> browser.<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em>. Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4375\" height=\"2917\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=4375&#038;h=2917&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A brown patch of burned vegetation is visible on the landscape surrounding two reservoirs in a hilly region west of Madrid.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=4375&#038;h=2917&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 4375w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1365&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1333&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4375px) 100vw, 4375px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">July 29, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (6.09 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download July 29, 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources <\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AP (2026, July 30) <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/france-spain-greece-wildfires-heat-climate-change-de0bfabe2249153afc0e16da2f7e02f3\" rel=\"noopener\">As France tames wildfire and lets 84,000 evacuees go home, blazes flare across Europe<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>The Conversation (2026, July 29) <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-fire-has-such-power-why-the-wildfires-gripping-france-and-spain-are-off-the-charts-288507\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2018The fire has such power\u2019: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the\u00a0charts<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Drought.gov (2026, July 22) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drought.gov\/international\" rel=\"noopener\">International<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>EFE (2026, July 25) <a href=\"https:\/\/efe.com\/english\/latest-news\/2026-07-25\/france-wildfires-record-evacuations-bordeaux\/\" rel=\"noopener\">France Wildfires: Record evacuations as fires near Bordeaux<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>EFE (2026, July 26) <a href=\"https:\/\/efe.com\/espana\/2026-07-26\/hectareas-afectadas-incendios-espana-2026\/\" rel=\"noopener\">El incendio de \u00c1vila ha quemado 50.000 hect\u00e1reas, el mayor fuego de la historia de Espa\u00f1a<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>European Commission (2026, July 30) <a href=\"https:\/\/joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu\/projects-and-activities\/natural-and-man-made-hazards\/forest-fires\/current-wildfire-situation-europe_en\" rel=\"noopener\">Current wildfire situation in Europe<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>European Commission (2026, July 30) <a href=\"https:\/\/joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu\/european-and-global-drought-observatories\/current-drought-situation-europe_en\" rel=\"noopener\">Current drought situation in Europe<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>France24 (2026, July 26) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20260726-french-firefighters-face-pyrocumulonimbus-for-first-time\" rel=\"noopener\">French firefighters face \u2018pyrocumulonimbus\u2019 for first time<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA Earthdata, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/topics\/human-dimensions\/wildfires\" rel=\"noopener\">Wildfires<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li><em>The New York Times<\/em> (2026, July 28) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2026\/07\/28\/world\/europe\/france-spain-wildfires-2026-fire-season.html\" rel=\"noopener\">The Fires in France and Spain Are Breaking Modern Records<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Peterson, D., <em>et al.<\/em> (2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41612-025-01188-5\" rel=\"noopener\">Worldwide inventory reveals the frequency and variability of pyrocumulonimbus and stratospheric smoke plumes during 2013\u20132023<\/a>. <em>Climate and Atmospheric Science, <\/em>8, 325.<\/li>\n<li>Reuters (2026, July 27) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/graphics\/EU-WILDFIRES\/MAPS\/xmpjxeejgpr\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mapping the wildfires outside Bordeaux and Madrid<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>RTVE (2026, July 27) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rtve.es\/noticias\/20260727\/incendio-avila-mas-grande-historia-espana\/17170323.shtml\" rel=\"noopener\">Anatom\u00eda del incendio m\u00e1s grande de la historia de Espa\u00f1a: m\u00e1s de 50.000 hect\u00e1reas en cinco d\u00edas<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>State of Wildfires Project (2026, July) <a href=\"https:\/\/stateofwildfires.com\/news\/understanding-spains-2026-wildfires-through-hydroclimatic-rebound\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Understanding Spain\u2019s 2026 Wildfires through hydroclimatic rebound<\/a>. Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<li><em>Time<\/em> (2026, July 28) <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/article\/2026\/07\/27\/france-spain-europe-wildfires-destruction-photos\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Photos Show the Destruction in France and Spain From Ferocious European Wildfires<\/a>.Accessed July 30, 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-ded4a8d9-9239-420c-8ef9-04c6fea9796c\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" data-starting-query=\"{\"block_id\":\"content-list-ded4a8d9-9239-420c-8ef9-04c6fea9796c\",\"categories\":\"\",\"content_categories\":\"\",\"exclude_child_terms\":false,\"exclude_child_pages\":false,\"layout\":\"grid\",\"listing_page\":\"no\",\"listing_page_category_id\":2151,\"meta_fields\":[],\"news_tags\":\"\",\"number_of_items\":3,\"order\":\"DESC\",\"orderby\":\"date\",\"current_page\":1,\"requesting_id\":1207702,\"science_only\":false,\"search_query\":\"\",\"show_content_type_tags\":\"yes\",\"show_excerpts\":\"yes\",\"show_pagination\":true,\"show_publish_date\":\"no\",\"show_readtime\":\"yes\",\"show_thumbnails\":\"yes\",\"calendar_overflow_mode\":\"modal\",\"science_org\":\"\",\"content_science_orgs\":\"\",\"internal_terms\":\"\",\"mission_programs\":\"\",\"mission_status\":\"\",\"mission_target\":\"\",\"mission_type\":\"\",\"response_format\":\"html\",\"show_drafts\":false,\"related_content\":\"1216125,1209704,1254923,1224692,1259944,1256746,1223244,1258162,1220946,1222578\",\"use_content_term_filters\":false,\"filter_logic\":\"default\",\"post_types\":\"any\",\"base_terms\":\"{\"category\":\"\",\"science-org\":\"6478\",\"internal-terms\":\"\",\"news-tags\":\"\"}\"}\" data-current-query=\"{\"block_id\":\"content-list-ded4a8d9-9239-420c-8ef9-04c6fea9796c\",\"categories\":\"\",\"content_categories\":\"\",\"exclude_child_terms\":false,\"exclude_child_pages\":false,\"layout\":\"grid\",\"listing_page\":\"no\",\"listing_page_category_id\":2151,\"meta_fields\":[],\"news_tags\":\"\",\"number_of_items\":3,\"order\":\"DESC\",\"orderby\":\"date\",\"current_page\":1,\"requesting_id\":1207702,\"science_only\":false,\"search_query\":\"\",\"show_content_type_tags\":\"yes\",\"show_excerpts\":\"yes\",\"show_pagination\":true,\"show_publish_date\":\"no\",\"show_readtime\":\"yes\",\"show_thumbnails\":\"yes\",\"calendar_overflow_mode\":\"modal\",\"science_org\":\"\",\"content_science_orgs\":\"\",\"internal_terms\":\"\",\"mission_programs\":\"\",\"mission_status\":\"\",\"mission_target\":\"\",\"mission_type\":\"\",\"response_format\":\"html\",\"show_drafts\":false,\"related_content\":\"1216125,1209704,1254923,1224692,1259944,1256746,1223244,1258162,1220946,1222578\",\"use_content_term_filters\":false,\"filter_logic\":\"default\",\"post_types\":\"any\",\"base_terms\":\"{\"category\":\"\",\"science-org\":\"6478\",\"internal-terms\":\"\",\"news-tags\":\"\"}\"}\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-rage-in-georgia\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-rage-in-georgia\/georgia_firehwy82_oli_20260423_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-rage-in-georgia\/georgia_firehwy82_oli_20260423_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-rage-in-georgia\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Fires Rage in Georgia<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Firefighters are battling two destructive blazes in the southern part of the state as drought grips the U.S. Southeast.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/nebraskafire_vir2_20260329_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/nebraskafire_vir2_20260329_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Fires Tear Through Nebraska Grasslands<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Dry, warm, and windy conditions across the U.S. Great Plains led to extreme fire activity in March 2026.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/cottonwood-fire-chars-utah\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/cottonwood-fire-chars-utah\/utcottonwoodfire_oli_20260629_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/cottonwood-fire-chars-utah\/utcottonwoodfire_oli_20260629_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/cottonwood-fire-chars-utah\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Cottonwood Fire Chars Utah<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    5 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The blaze burned more than 150 square miles and swept through parts of a ski resort.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span>1<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 2\" data-page-number=\"2\"><br \/>\n<span>2<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 3\" data-page-number=\"3\"><br \/>\n<span>3<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Page 4\" data-page-number=\"4\"><br \/>\n<span>4<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"next page-numbers\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/#\" aria-label=\"Goto Next Page\" data-page-number=\"2\">Next<\/a><br \/>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More from NASA Earth Science<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/subscribe\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"585\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 585w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=400&#038;h=291&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/image-of-the-day\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Observatory Image of the Day<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">NASA&#8217;s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1407\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1153&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=900&#038;h=507&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1126&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1536,768 1536w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2048,1024 2048w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=400,200 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=600,300 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=900,450 900w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1200,600 1200w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=2000,1000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16994,13210],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-494093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-earth-observatory","category-wildfires"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.0 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Guest authors\"\/>\n\t<meta name=\"google-site-verification\" content=\"1EIWGZ5FoylKQrO3pqls-2hXlDXKIP1lffdWZCVV0V4\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO Pro (AIOSEO) 5.0.0\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"VibeWire Magazine - Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-31T04:01:00+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-31T04:01:00+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@VibewireCentral\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.\" \/>\n\t\t<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@VibewireCentral\" \/>\n\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"aioseo-schema\">\n\t\t\t{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#blogposting\",\"name\":\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine\",\"headline\":\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?author=13#author\"},\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/assets.science.nasa.gov\\\/dynamicimage\\\/assets\\\/science\\\/esd\\\/eo\\\/images\\\/iotd\\\/2026\\\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\\\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&%23038;fit=clip&%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093\\\/#articleImage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#webpage\"},\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#webpage\"},\"articleSection\":\"Earth Observatory, Wildfires\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#breadcrumblist\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au#listItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?cat=13210#listItem\",\"name\":\"Wildfires\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?cat=13210#listItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Wildfires\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?cat=13210\",\"nextItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#listItem\",\"name\":\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe\"},\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au#listItem\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#listItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe\",\"previousItem\":{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?cat=13210#listItem\",\"name\":\"Wildfires\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"VibreWire Online\",\"description\":\"Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/Screenshot-2024-01-07-at-2.32.21\\u202fpm.png\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093\\\/#organizationLogo\",\"width\":1028,\"height\":930},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093\\\/#organizationLogo\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/VibewireCentral\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?author=13#author\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?author=13\",\"name\":\"Guest authors\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#authorImage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/764687183b9d2913837d7b543a5b43684d46e7eef4e1a9af4821624eb2bebbc0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"width\":96,\"height\":96,\"caption\":\"Guest authors\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093\",\"name\":\"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine\",\"description\":\"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/#website\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?p=494093#breadcrumblist\"},\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?author=13#author\"},\"creator\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/?author=13#author\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/\",\"name\":\"VibreWire Online\",\"description\":\"Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vibewire.com.au\\\/#organization\"}}]}\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro -->\r\n\t\t<title>Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine<\/title>\n\n","aioseo_head_json":{"title":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine","description":"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.","canonical_url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093","robots":"max-image-preview:large","keywords":"","webmasterTools":{"google-site-verification":"1EIWGZ5FoylKQrO3pqls-2hXlDXKIP1lffdWZCVV0V4","miscellaneous":""},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#blogposting","name":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine","headline":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?author=13#author"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/#organization"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/destructive-fires-char-western-europe\/spainfires_oli2_20260729.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=960&%23038;fit=clip&%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093\/#articleImage"},"datePublished":"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00","dateModified":"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00","inLanguage":"en-AU","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#webpage"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#webpage"},"articleSection":"Earth Observatory, Wildfires"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au#listItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au","nextItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210#listItem","name":"Wildfires"}},{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210#listItem","position":2,"name":"Wildfires","item":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210","nextItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#listItem","name":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe"},"previousItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au#listItem","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#listItem","position":3,"name":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe","previousItem":{"@type":"ListItem","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210#listItem","name":"Wildfires"}}]},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/#organization","name":"VibreWire Online","description":"Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything","url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-01-07-at-2.32.21\u202fpm.png","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093\/#organizationLogo","width":1028,"height":930},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093\/#organizationLogo"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/VibewireCentral"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?author=13#author","url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?author=13","name":"Guest authors","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#authorImage","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/764687183b9d2913837d7b543a5b43684d46e7eef4e1a9af4821624eb2bebbc0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","width":96,"height":96,"caption":"Guest authors"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093","name":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine","description":"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.","inLanguage":"en-AU","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093#breadcrumblist"},"author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?author=13#author"},"creator":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?author=13#author"},"datePublished":"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00","dateModified":"2026-07-31T14:01:00+10:00"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/","name":"VibreWire Online","description":"Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything","inLanguage":"en-AU","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/#organization"}}]},"og:locale":"en_US","og:site_name":"VibeWire Magazine - Your Alternate News Source for Transport, Politics, UFO, Paranormal, Anything","og:type":"article","og:title":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine","og:description":"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.","og:url":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093","article:published_time":"2026-07-31T04:01:00+00:00","article:modified_time":"2026-07-31T04:01:00+00:00","twitter:card":"summary_large_image","twitter:site":"@VibewireCentral","twitter:title":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe - VibeWire Magazine","twitter:description":"Raging wildfires disrupted summer in Spain and France amid sweltering heat waves and prolonged drought.","twitter:creator":"@VibewireCentral"},"aioseo_meta_data":{"post_id":"494093","title":null,"description":null,"keywords":null,"keyphrases":null,"primary_term":null,"canonical_url":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"og_object_type":"default","og_image_type":"default","og_image_url":null,"og_image_width":null,"og_image_height":null,"og_image_custom_url":null,"og_image_custom_fields":null,"og_video":null,"og_custom_url":null,"og_article_section":null,"og_article_tags":null,"twitter_use_og":false,"twitter_card":"default","twitter_image_type":"default","twitter_image_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_fields":null,"twitter_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"schema":{"blockGraphs":[],"customGraphs":[],"default":{"data":{"Article":[],"Course":[],"Dataset":[],"FAQPage":[],"Movie":[],"Person":[],"Product":[],"ProductReview":[],"Car":[],"Recipe":[],"Service":[],"SoftwareApplication":[],"WebPage":[]},"graphName":"BlogPosting","isEnabled":true},"graphs":[]},"schema_type":"default","schema_type_options":null,"pillar_content":false,"robots_default":true,"robots_noindex":false,"robots_noarchive":false,"robots_nosnippet":false,"robots_nofollow":false,"robots_noimageindex":false,"robots_noodp":false,"robots_notranslate":false,"robots_max_snippet":null,"robots_max_videopreview":null,"robots_max_imagepreview":"large","priority":null,"frequency":null,"local_seo":null,"seo_analyzer_scan_date":"2026-07-31 06:19:18","breadcrumb_settings":null,"limit_modified_date":false,"open_ai":null,"ai":null,"created":"2026-07-31 06:10:43","updated":"2026-07-31 06:19:18","focus_keyword":null,"additional_keywords":null,"truseo_locale":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210\" title=\"Wildfires\">Wildfires<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\tDestructive Fires Char Western Europe\n<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au"},{"label":"Wildfires","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?cat=13210"},{"label":"Destructive Fires Char Western Europe","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=494093"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=494093"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494093\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":494095,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494093\/revisions\/494095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=494093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=494093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=494093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}