World
Heat, fires, drought: what lessons for the EU? Hottest European Summer
Europe was not spared by the heat wave. August 2026 was the warmest month ever measured, and Europe as a whole experienced the worst summer in its history: 2.7°C more than normal season. The result is a record drought that continues in September. In the summer peak, two thirds of EU territory were on alert, making vegetation and agriculture vulnerable and facilitating the spread of fires.