A run of extreme weather across Europe has forced thousands of people from their homes in recent weeks, as wildfires, storms, and flooding struck several countries at once. Emergency services in southern and central Europe have been stretched by blazes fueled by record heat and dry conditions.
Firefighters battled fast-moving fires in parts of the Mediterranean, where high temperatures and strong winds helped flames spread through forests and reach the edges of towns. In some areas, authorities ordered residents to leave as a precaution while crews worked to contain the fires.
Elsewhere on the continent, heavy rain and storms brought a different set of problems, with flooding damaging roads and homes. The contrast between drought-driven fires in one region and floods in another showed how varied the season’s weather has become.
Scientists have linked the growing frequency of such events to a warming climate, which raises the odds of both intense heat and heavy downpours. Officials across affected countries pointed to the strain on firefighting resources and the mounting cost of repeated emergencies.
Recovery efforts were underway even as forecasters warned that more hot, dry spells could follow. Local leaders in several regions called for stronger prevention measures, arguing that spending ahead of the fire season would cost less than responding to disasters after they begin.
