Fires in Europe, the USA and Canada

The current situation on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 – The wildfire situation is simultaneously worsening in several regions of the northern hemisphere. Canada, the western United States and southern Europe are currently particularly affected. However, Great Britain and Scotland are also experiencing an unusually high level of fire activity. A distinctive feature of this fire season is its extraordinary geographical extent: whilst vast areas of woodland are burning in Canada and the US, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy are simultaneously battling a persistent wave of fires. In Great Britain, too, the risk is rising due to drought and a new heatwave.

Canada: A dramatic situation in British Columbia

The Okanagan has been particularly hard hit

One of the most critical wildfires at present is in British Columbia in western Canada. The Bald Range Fire near Summerland in the Okanagan has spread rapidly. Around 9,500 hectares have already been burnt. More than 20,000 people have had to leave their homes, and thousands more are under evacuation alerts. The communities of Summerland and Peachland have been particularly hard hit. In light of these dramatic developments, British Columbia has declared a state of emergency. The Canadian military has also been mobilised to provide support. The situation is being exacerbated by high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds. Canada has already lost around 3.9 million hectares to wildfires this year. Numerous large-scale fires are also active in other parts of the country.

USA: Extreme wildfire activity in the West

The United States is also experiencing an exceptionally intense wildfire season. According to the National Interagency Fire Centre, 101 new fires were recorded within a 24-hour period alone. These included nine new major fires. A total of 98 major fires remained out of control. Around 29,840 emergency personnel were deployed. The US remains at the highest national fire preparedness level, Preparedness Level 5.

Washington State particularly affected

The situation is particularly dire in the State of Washington. More than 720,000 acres – around 291,000 hectares – have already been burnt there. This makes the current fire season one of the worst in the past two decades. Several major fires have each covered an area of more than 100,000 acres.

Oregon, Idaho and Montana

Oregon, Idaho and Montana are also battling numerous active wildfires. The fires in the north-west of the US are simultaneously causing significant smoke pollution. Plumes of smoke are spreading across large parts of the country and affecting air quality in many places.

In the US, by August 2026, the figure was already 2.272 million acres above the 10-year average. Compared with 2025 – which was already a particularly severe year – the area burnt is already around 75 per cent higher. This is a clear indication that the current US fire season is not only producing more fires, but, above all, is resulting in a significantly larger area being lost per fire.

Europe: Record-breaking wildfire season

Europe, too, is experiencing an exceptional wildfire season. According to the latest data from the European Commission, more than 529,000 hectares had already been burnt within the EU by 9 August 2026. This means that Europe has already exceeded both the previous record set in 2025 and the long-term average for the last ten years – 168 per cent above the long-term EFFIS average. In total, more than 1,500 major fires have been recorded since the start of the year. The largest active fires continue to be in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans.

Greece: New fires despite a difficult starting point

Forest fire west of Athens

Greece remains one of the countries with the highest risk of wildfires. On Monday 10 August, another major wildfire was reported west of Athens. Fire-fighting aircraft and helicopters were deployed. The country had already been battling several severe wildfires. The extreme heat, parched vegetation and strong winds mean that the risk of the fire spreading rapidly remains very high.

France: The wave of fires is not yet over

France remains one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe. The south-west and south of the country, in particular, have been affected by severe forest fires. Major fires have led to large-scale evacuations in recent weeks. At the same time, the next heatwave is ensuring that the situation remains tense. The dry vegetation provides the flames with large quantities of fuel.

Spain: High risk of wildfires across the country

Spain also remains a key hotspot in the European wildfire situation. Dry regions in the north-west, north-east and parts of Catalonia are particularly at risk. Many of the major fires of recent weeks are now under control, though they have not yet been completely extinguished. The combination of extreme heat, drought and dry vegetation continues to keep the risk of fire at a very high level.

Portugal: Extreme drought

Portugal is also one of the European countries with a particularly high level of fire activity. Portugal and Spain are among the countries where the number of forest fires has risen particularly sharply compared with the previous year.

Italy: Fires in Sardinia and Sicily

Italy, too, continues to be affected by numerous grass and forest fires.

The following are particularly at risk:

• Sardinia
• Sicily
• Southern Italy
• Parts of central Italy

The summer drought and high temperatures continue to pose a high risk of forest fires.

The Balkans: High risk of fire

The situation in the Balkans also remains tense.

Serbia

In Serbia, emergency services are continuing to battle major fires, including one in Deliblatska Peščara, north-west of Belgrade. Bulgaria, Montenegro, Albania and Croatia also remain on high alert.

United Kingdom: Risk of forest fires on the rise

The UK is increasingly becoming another European hotspot. By 10 August, around 23,359 hectares had already been burnt in the UK. A total of 72 fires covering an area of more than 30 hectares were recorded.

England: Drought and a new heatwave

The situation in England is particularly striking. Almost three-quarters of England is now officially experiencing drought conditions. At the same time, temperatures of up to 36 °C are forecast for this week.

New Forest: Fire following a vehicle blaze

A new wildfire broke out in the New Forest in Hampshire on Monday 10 August. The fire is believed to have started following a vehicle fire on the A31 and subsequently spread to the dry heathland.

Scotland: Major fire in the Cairngorms

Scotland, too, continues to grapple with the aftermath of an exceptionally large forest fire. The Cairngorms forest fire has now engulfed around 25 square kilometres of moorland and woodland. That is equivalent to an area of around 3,500 football pitches. The rare Caledonian Forest is particularly valuable and at risk. The Scottish Fire Service is continuing to monitor the area, using thermal imaging drones, amongst other methods, to detect any remaining pockets of embers.

Ireland: Drought increases the risk

Ireland has been significantly less affected by the current spate of fires than southern Europe or Canada. In recent weeks, fires have been reported in Tipperary, Kerry and Wicklow, amongst other places.

An overview of the main fire-prone regions

The big picture

The current fire situation is showing an unusual pattern. Whilst British Columbia, Washington and Oregon in western North America are battling massive forest fires, the wave of fires continues in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. At the same time, the risk of fire is rising significantly in Great Britain and Scotland.

Particularly striking is the combination of persistent drought, high temperatures, parched vegetation and increasing heatwaves. The fires are therefore not merely a regional problem. Rather, they reflect an exceptionally widespread forest fire situation that currently extends across large parts of the USA, Canada and Europe.

Date of summary: 11 August 2026.