NYT
European Wildfires Amplified by Emptying Countryside and Fewer Farms
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
European wildfires have increased in size and frequency due to rising temperatures and declining agricultural activity in rural areas, according to reports on the continent's fire patterns. As farming populations have decreased, formerly managed farmland has reverted to dense vegetation that burns more readily. Fire management officials have stated that coexistence with wildfires is necessary rather than complete prevention.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/29/climate/france-spain-europe-megafires.html
