According to the document, the flames affected from the Mediterranean to the north of the continent, with greater intensity in the south, where droughts and coastal winds accelerated the spread.

France is facing its biggest fire in 50 years, with 16,000 hectares consumed in Aude (equivalent to Paris), 1,400 firefighters were called and temperatures reached up to 40°C, said the document. The risk remains extreme, warned the French governmental organization Meteo-France, while a new heat wave is forecast for this week.

Meanwhile, Spain, Greece and Portugal are reporting critical situations, with massive evacuations in tourist areas.

The WMO attributes the catastrophe to climate change, and pointed out that 2025 is the second hottest year on record, while dry vegetation acts as an ideal fuel.

Experts from the European Forecasting Center warn that the fire season could extend into October.

jdt/jav/mem/amp