Wildfires and extreme heat continue to intensify across Europe after earlier reporting detailed billions in damages, with more than 434,000 hectares burned since the start of 2026 and fires emitting an estimated 17.98 million tonnes of CO₂.
Slovakia and Austria have both recorded all-time temperature highs, exceeding 41C, while Italy placed most major cities under red heat alerts. Low river flows are disrupting energy production: Hungary has largely shut down its sole nuclear plant due to record-low Danube levels, and Slovenia is reducing output at its Krsko facility. In Spain, a July 9 fire in Almeria killed 14 people, and firefighting costs near Madrid alone may reach $923 million. Britain's cereal harvest is on track to be its worst since 1984.
The European Commission has mobilised 22 firefighting aircraft and 777 firefighters from 14 nations. Despite the devastation, Finnish insurers Lähi-Tapiola and If say the fires have not prompted changes to domestic pricing or underwriting.