Record-breaking wildfires across Europe have caused an estimated €15.6 billion to €19.1 billion (US$18-22 billion) in economic losses and damage, as extreme heat and prolonged drought continue to fuel devastating blazes across the continent.
According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter, countries including France, Spain and Greece have been among the hardest hit, with more than 500,000 hectares of land burned during the ongoing fire season.
Porter said the extreme weather has not only threatened lives but also reduced agricultural production and created significant public health risks due to widespread smoke and deteriorating air quality.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) showed that France and Spain recorded some of the largest wildfire outbreaks, while the United Kingdom reported more than 22,000 hectares of burned land.
One of the most destructive fires occurred near Bordeaux, where a massive wildfire destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of more than 224,000 people across an area of 420 square kilometres.
In Greece, wildfires also damaged homes and triggered large-scale evacuations in areas near Athens.
Forecasters warned that very high to extreme wildfire danger is expected to persist across western and central Europe as the fire season continues.