A wildfire in the UK’s south Dorset’s Newton Heath has been extinguished after burning for 10 days, destroying over 54 acres (22ha) of protected heath and forest habitat. Reported on 3 August, the blaze was among several suspected arson incidents in the Studland area. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue (DWFR) confirmed crews from three counties battled the flames, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds. The site, home to all six native reptile species, suffered severe wildlife loss. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust found very few reptiles survived. DWFR has handed over control to Forestry England for recovery efforts. (PC: BBC)

A deadly heatwave exceeding 40°C is fuelling massive wildfires across southern Europe, killing at least three and forcing thousands to evacuate. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia are battling dozens of blazes. In Spain, 4,000 people fled Castile and Leon, while nearly 2,000 evacuated near Tarifa. Portugal deployed 1,300 firefighters with aid from Morocco. Greece faces over 150 fires, prompting mass evacuations on Zakynthos and Chios. Italy recorded a child’s death from heatstroke, while France issued widespread heat alerts. Scientists warn climate change is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, intensifying wildfire seasons and destruction. (PC: BBC)

Thousands of people have been evacuated as deadly wildfires spread across southern Europe during a record-breaking heatwave. In Spain, fires near Madrid killed one man and forced residents to flee. Blazes are also burning in Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, with strong winds making control difficult. Portugal’s Vila Real mayor said, “We are being cooked alive,” as a fire burned for 10 days. Greece evacuated villages and hotels on tourist islands. Italy and France issued heat alerts, with Bordeaux hitting 41.6°C. Scientists warn climate change is causing hotter, drier summers, and Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. (PC: Reuters)

A fierce wildfire, dubbed the Canyon Fire, forced thousands to evacuate in California’s Ventura and Los Angeles counties after erupting Thursday and rapidly expanding from 30 to 5,400 acres. Fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions, the blaze injured Kern County firefighter James Agee in a rollover truck accident. Officials reported 62% containment by Sunday, aided by favourable weather and over 1,100 personnel. Residents in Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, and Val Verde were urged to stay vigilant as temperatures may hit 100°F. The Gifford Fire, California’s largest active blaze, has scorched nearly 100,000 acres in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. (PC: BBC)

A yellow heat health alert is in place from midday Monday to Wednesday evening for most of England as the UK braces for its fourth summer heatwave. Sky News meteorologist Christopher England warned of “very muggy nights” in the south, with temperatures holding above 20C, known as “tropical nights.” Daytime highs could exceed 35C in southern Britain, with a 10% chance Wales may surpass its August record of 35.2C set in 1990. The UK Health Security Agency warns of increased health risks for vulnerable people. Low pressure from the west will pull warmer air from the continent, intensifying conditions. (PC: Sky News)

6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Sindirgi in western Turkey on Sunday evening, the disaster agency AFAD said. The quake was felt in Istanbul, Izmir, and nearby cities. Several buildings collapsed in Balikesir province, local media reported. An aftershock of 4.6 followed minutes later. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said rescue teams were working and no major casualties had been confirmed yet. The quake hit at 7:53 pm local time. Turkey often faces deadly quakes due to its location on fault lines. In February 2023, a massive quake killed over 53,000 people. Smaller quakes have shaken the region in recent months. (PC: NDTV)

The UK is set for its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to pass 30C on Monday. Most of England will be under a yellow heat alert until Wednesday, warning of risks to older and vulnerable people. Wales could see its August record of 35.2C, set in 1990, broken. Hot nights above 20C are also likely. The Met Office says smoke from Canadian wildfires may cause vivid sunrises and sunsets. Thunderstorms are possible as ex-tropical storm Dexter passes nearby. Mainland Europe is also sweltering, with Spain, Portugal, and France forecast to reach over 40C. (PC: Reuters)

On June 26, a fiery meteor streaked across the sky over Georgia and South Carolina before crashing through a McDonough homeowner’s roof, penetrating ductwork, insulation, ceiling, and floor to leave a cherry-tomato-sized crater—all with no injuries reported. University of Georgia geologist Scott Harris confirmed the meteorite formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago—making it around 20 million years older than Earth—and originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists are studying the fragment, proposing to name it the "McDonough Meteorite," and stress the research’s value for planetary defense and understanding solar system history. 

On August 5, a devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarkashi’s Dharali and Harsil regions. At least five lives were lost, with many more missing. In Operation Dharali and Zindagi, Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and BRO have evacuated over 1,000 residents and tourists using 33+ helicopter sorties, airlifting 195 civilians to safety while delivering critical aid . Rescue operations face continued disruption due to heavy rains and washed-out roads, though a temporary aerial corridor and bridge construction are underway . The administration, now establishing relief camps and forming a rehabilitation committee, has announced ₹5 lakh aid for each bereaved and destroyed-home household, alongside essential supplies and long-term recovery planning. (PC: PTI)

Firefighters have contained France’s largest wildfire in at least 50 years, which scorched 16,000 hectares in the southern Aude department. The blaze, fueled by scorching heat and dry winds, killed a 65-year-old woman, injured several residents, and left 19 firefighters hurt. Over 1,300 firefighters remain on alert as a heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40°C, threatens to reignite the fire. The disaster has devastated farmland and livestock, with some farmers losing most of their flocks. Authorities warn full extinguishment could take weeks. Experts link such extreme fires to intensifying summer heatwaves driven by climate change. (PC: NDTV)