Wildfire smoke drives dangerous air pollution across France and Spain

Massive wildfires burning across France and Spain have pushed air pollution to dangerous levels, exposing millions of people to harmful smoke and raising fresh concerns about public health and climate change. Scientists say the fires have released large amounts of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, a pollutant linked to heart disease, lung cancer and serious respiratory illnesses.

Experts explained that wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres, reducing air quality far beyond the areas directly affected by the flames. They warned that prolonged exposure to high levels of PM2.5 poses a significant health risk, especially for children, older adults and people with existing medical conditions.

Theodore Keeping, a climate scientist at Imperial College London, said repeated exposure to dense wildfire smoke can have serious health consequences. He noted that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense wildfires, increasing the number of people breathing unhealthy air for extended periods.

Air quality data from the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service showed that pollution levels in the French city of Bordeaux rose sharply on July 26. PM2.5 concentrations exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic metre at their highest point, while the daily average reached around 115 micrograms. Scientists said this was nearly five times higher than the European Union’s recommended daily limit.

Smoke from the fires also spread across large parts of southern France and central Spain. In Limoges, located more than 200 kilometres northeast of Bordeaux, PM2.5 levels climbed above 400 micrograms per cubic metre during the weekend. Scientists said these figures demonstrate how wildfire pollution can affect communities located far from the fires themselves.

Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, said the fires are producing enormous amounts of smoke that continue to spread across the region. He explained that particles released by wildfires may become even more harmful because they mix with other chemicals in the smoke. These tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs, increasing the risk of breathing problems and other health complications.

Health experts have advised people living in affected areas to follow official safety guidance. Recommended precautions include staying indoors whenever possible, keeping windows closed to prevent smoke from entering homes and wearing protective masks if outdoor travel cannot be avoided.

Scientists also warned that the environmental impact of the fires extends beyond air pollution. Europe’s forests normally absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to slow global warming. When forests burn, much of that stored carbon is released back into the air, adding to greenhouse gas emissions.

According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, wildfires across Europe have released around 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide so far this year. France has recorded its highest wildfire related carbon emissions ever measured by this stage of the year. Researchers said nearly half of the European Union’s wildfire emissions for 2026 were produced during the past week alone.

Although wildfire emissions currently represent only a small share of the European Union’s overall greenhouse gas output, scientists cautioned that the situation could become more serious in the future. As climate change creates hotter and drier conditions, wildfire risks are expected to expand into northern Europe, where vast forests play a major role in storing carbon. Researchers warned that increasingly destructive fire seasons could make it more difficult for European countries to achieve their long term climate goals.