Europe wildfire risk heightened by early heatwaves and drought

A firefighter works in front of flames during a wildfire in the Sierra de la Culebra in the Zamora Provence of Spain (AP)

Extended drought conditions in several Mediterranean countries, a heat wave last week that reached northern Germany and high fuel costs for aircraft needed to fight wildfires have heightened concerns over wildfires across Europe this summer.

“Much of the continent is in drought,” said Cathelijne Stoof, an environmental science professor at the Netherlands’ Wageningen University, who called the wildfire outlook “very challenging across Europe”.