European weather services have issued a red wildfire alert as record heat and
below‑normal rainfall sharply increase fire risk and more extreme conditions
loom. In France, over 800 firefighters are tackling a blaze that began on
Wednesday, which has burned roughly 12 sq km across Hérault, Aude and
Bouches‑du‑Rhône. Last year France recorded its worst wildfires in 70 years,
with more than 170 sq km scorched and vineyards and farms destroyed.
