Devastating European wildfires in maps - and how they're being tackled

European wildfires have grown increasingly severe, with storm clouds capable of generating their own lightning and occasionally producing hail and rain, further complicating suppression efforts. French authorities have responded by deploying aircraft equipped with fire retardant, including Canadair water‑bombers that can scoop up to 6,000 litres of water from lakes or the sea in just 12 seconds before dropping it directly onto the blaze. On days deemed hazardous, these aircraft conduct pre‑emptive patrols over high‑risk zones, allowing them to release retardant within minutes of detecting a fire. In operation, the planes often fly a continuous shuttle, laying retardant along the fire’s perimeter while ground crews move in to attack the flames directly.