Wildfires across western Europe are intensifying due to persistent drought and heatwaves that have left forests bone-dry and winds fan the flames.

Marseille

Authorities in southwestern France are taking measures to protect the environment as wildfire risks escalate due to ongoing drought and heatwaves. Access to hills has been restricted, reflecting concerns about a challenging fire season ahead. The number of wildfire outbreaks has risen compared to the previous year, with dense vegetation from earlier rainfall now contributing to the flammability of forests. 

Cities like Marseille and Narbonne have experienced significant decreases in rainfall, exacerbating dry conditions. Firefighters are particularly concerned about the '30-30-30' rule—temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, winds over 30 kilometers per hour, and humidity below 30 percent—combined with the dry Tramontane wind. In response, new technologies such as AI-powered cameras are being developed for early fire detection.

Drought conditions and heatwaves worsen forest fires in France

This village in southwestern France, local authorities are doing all they can to protect the environment. There's a high risk of wildfires. Access to the hills is banned until the end of the week. A ban that suggests a gruelling summer ahead, with the threat of fires looming large. Last year in France, 4,591 outbreaks were recorded by the start of July. 5,907 have already been reported for the same period this year. Partly responsible for this increase is a particularly rainy March that made vegetation more dense. With the June heatwave and periods of drought, forests have become highly flammable. In Marseille, there was 99% less rainfall this year than usual, a lack of rain that has been worsening for several years now, as is the case in the city of Narbonne, where only 5.4 millimetres of rain fell last month. For firefighters, this points to a high risk summer. Conditions in the 30-30-30 rule are a particular cause for concern. Temperatures in excess of 30 degrees, winds in excess of 30 kilometres per hour, and air humidity below 30%. A dangerous mix, especially when combined with a particular kind of wind, known as Tramontane wind. It's a continental wind, which means it has much less humidity than if it came from the sea. This means it acts like a hair dryer on areas that are already fully dried out. In light of the increased fire risks, new technologies are being developed, including cameras that use AI for early detection of blazers.

The Trump administration branded the event as one of the steps it is taking to reshape its relationship with the African continent.

Washington

Five African leaders have lunch with Trump

The search continues in central Texas for the more than 160 people still missing from the deadly floods that hit over the Fourth of July. CBS News reporter Karen Hua has more.

Kerr County

Recovery operations ongoing in Texas as more than 160 still missing

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Global Tariffs

Trump sends tariff letters to six more countries

Video released by the Houthi media center shows the bulk carrier ‘Magic Seas’ being attacked and later sinking in the Iran-backed rebel group’s first attack this year on a commercial shipping vessel in the Red Sea.

Sana'a

Middle East Conflict

Houthi rebels claim responsibility for attack on ship in Red Sea

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Top European court rules Russia violated international law in Ukraine

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Ontario

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Cernadilla

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London

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Rio de Janeiro

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Texas

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Kerrville

At least 90 people killed in Texas floods

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McAllen

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Hunt

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State of Rio de Janeiro

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