Massive Canadian wildfires have sent thick smoke across the US border, triggering hazardous air quality alerts from the Midwest to the Northeast. Cities including New York, Chicago, Baltimore, and Detroit have recorded some of the worst air quality levels in years, with Baltimore under a Code Purple alert. President Trump blamed Canada's wildfire management, drawing a sharp rebuke from Ontario Premier Doug Ford who called the criticism 'absolutely unacceptable.' The smoke comes as Europe also faces wildfires, drought, and storms amid a devastating heatwave.
A comprehensive study published by the Associated Press found that wildfire smoke kills tens of thousands of people each year, with the death toll rising as climate change fuels larger and more intense fires. Canadian wildfire smoke has made air quality unhealthy from the US Midwest to the East Coast this week. Google launched three new FireSat satellites to improve early detection, and the EU proposed sweeping changes to its carbon market.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to replant the historic Fontainebleau forest south of Paris after wildfires scorched at least 10% of the 20,000-hectare woodland, forcing 1,000 residents to flee. Speaking at a firefighter command center near the forest, Macron called the forest a 'treasure' and launched a fundraising campaign for reforestation. The blaze is the latest in a series of wildfires across Europe linked to extreme heat. Meanwhile, Canadian wildfire smoke blanketed the US Midwest and Northeast, including New York City, raising air quality concerns ahead of the World Cup final.
A wildfire in the French Pyrenees has scorched more than 11,000 acres and forced over 10,000 people to evacuate from nearly 30 towns and villages near the Spanish border. The European Union dispatched four waterbombing aircraft from Cyprus and Sweden along with more than 100 firefighters. The blaze is the latest consequence of multiple intense heat waves that have gripped Europe since May, disrupting daily life across the continent.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Tuesday implementing a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data center permits, making New York the first state in the nation to pause the industry over environmental and energy concerns. The order gives the state time to develop regulations focused on energy consumption, water use, and community impact. Separately, President Trump signed orders sharply reducing the size of two national monuments in Utah, drawing immediate legal challenges from environmental groups.
A fast-moving wildfire of 'exceptional scale' has scorched about 800 hectares of the historic Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, forcing evacuations and disrupting train and highway traffic. French officials deployed two firefighting aircraft — the first time bomber planes have been sent from the south of France to the Paris region — as crews battled to contain the blaze. The fire, which officials described as 'very virulent,' began late Monday afternoon in the sprawling forest about 60 kilometers southeast of the capital. France's interior minister said the fire may have been set deliberately and two people have been arrested. In Spain, 10 people remain missing from a separate wildfire that killed 13.
A wildfire burning out of control in southwestern France's Pyrenees region has forced 10,000 people to evacuate from nearly 30 villages and towns, scorching more than 11,000 acres. The blaze follows a record-breaking June heatwave across Europe that caused thousands of deaths. More than 2,000 firefighters are battling the fire, which is threatening the route of the Tour de France. Climate scientists warn worsening heat waves are expected without action on fossil fuels.
At least 12 people died and 23 remain missing in one of Spain's deadliest wildfires on record in the southern Almeria region, as a heatwave continues to grip Europe. Victims were found burned in their cars as roads turned into death traps. France also recorded 131 drowning deaths since June 19 amid the heatwave. Meanwhile, Typhoon Bavi battered eastern China with 2.8 million evacuated, and Bangladesh floods killed 44.
US forecasters announced El Niño conditions will strengthen through the end of the year, raising concerns about extreme weather globally. Typhoon Bavi, potentially the most powerful storm China has seen in years, channelled moisture toward northern China, putting provinces on alert for heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, deadly wildfires in Spain's Almeria province killed at least 12 people, including four British nationals, as Europe battles summer heat extremes.
Western Europe recorded its hottest June in history, with France and Spain hit hardest by extended heatwaves. At least 11 people died in a wildfire in Los Gallardos, Spain, as flames forced thousands to evacuate. The UK sweltered through its third heatwave of the year, and UK waters experienced extreme heatwave conditions as global sea temperatures reached record levels. China and Taiwan braced for Typhoon Bavi, potentially the most powerful storm in years.