Story perspectives

France Records Hottest June-July, Heatwaves Ignite Wildfires

8/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

France recorded its hottest June-July on record, averaging 21.62 °C, 2.79 °C above the 1991-2020 norm.
Copernicus documented four heatwaves since May, with two in July, affecting nearly 120 million Europeans who lived in zones where July 2026 was the hottest on record.
Soil moisture fell far below July 2022 levels, causing low flows in the Seine, Rhine and Danube.
France and Spain fought wildfires this summer, with Spain’s Avila blaze burning about 44,000 ha.

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Story summary

France recorded its hottest June-July on record, averaging 21.62 °C, 2.79 °C above the 1991-2020 norm.
Copernicus documented four heatwaves since May, with two in July, affecting nearly 120 million Europeans who lived in zones where July 2026 was the hottest on record.
Soil moisture fell far below July 2022 levels, causing low flows in the Seine, Rhine and Danube.
France and Spain fought wildfires this summer, with Spain’s Avila blaze burning about 44,000 ha.