Historic Wildfires Sweep Across France And Spain
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
Thousands of firefighters across France and Spain are working to contain historic wildfires that have forced more than 300,000 people to evacuate. The blazes have been fueled by extreme heat, dry conditions, and powerful winds. They have burned hundreds of thousands of acres of forests and other vegetation across both nations.
The wildfires began around July 20, 2026, when major blazes erupted in Spain’s Ávila province and the Madrid region. The Ávila fire quickly grew to become the country's largest wildfire on record. As of July 29, it has burned more than 123,000 acres (50,000 hectares).
Around the same time, another massive blaze erupted near France’s Bordeaux region. This fire became so intense that its smoke column created a thunderstorm on July 24. This storm produced lightning that struck the ground miles away, causing brand-new fires.
As of July 29, firefighters have largely stopped the spread of both fires. However, they are still working to put them out completely. Officials also warn that the ongoing extreme heat and changing winds could start new fires.
The same hot, dry, and windy weather is now moving across the Mediterranean toward Greece and Italy. Emergency crews in both countries are already preparing for the risk of new fires.
Resources: CNN.com, NPR.com, Reuters.com

Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
33 Comments
- zelemuwacaje28 daysI feel sad for them
- socecebi-17872387762829 daysthat' so crazy
- mynygavu-17872387780229 daysI feel so bad for them😥
- tiwahone-17872387780129 daysI think it was a good story and it looks bad
- nufifoju-17872387781829 daysI was by it in reno
- zemoryhakyfy30 daysso so sad
- nezegozatuby30 dayshopefully every thing turns out ok and they survive
- zacymupobovyabout 1 monthThats sad a lot of people lost there homes in the wild fire
- bipyhevylewyabout 1 monthI hope they are okay!
- bipyhevylewyabout 1 monthThis is really sad! :(