Weather tracker: Extreme rain deluges Japan and South Korea

Hundreds of people have been arrested on suspicion of arson in France as wildfires continue to sweep across parts of Europe, according to French authorities. Over 500 individuals, including 183 minors, have been detained since July 1 for allegedly setting fires that contributed to the escalating crisis. Most of those arrested are believed to have intentionally started the blazes, while others are under investigation for accidental causes. A 15-year-old boy is among those detained following a fire near Bordeaux airport that resulted in the death of two firefighters earlier this month. Firefighters in multiple European nations are battling intense wildfires fueled by record-breaking heat. Temperatures across much of Europe reached above 30 degrees Celsius, with around 150 million people experiencing conditions exceeding 35 degrees. In southern France, the village of Luglon was evacuated as a new wildfire consumed nearly 1,100 hectares of dry pine forest within a day. Regional officials described the situation as unfavorable, noting that 500 firefighters and six water-dumping aircraft were deployed to combat the flames. Access roads to the village were closed, complicating rescue operations. The fire in Luglon came just days after two massive wildfires in the Arcachon Bay and Lège-Cap-Ferret areas devastated over 50,000 hectares of land, prompting the displacement of up to 220,000 residents. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns, drying out landscapes and increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires. France has seen thousands of excess deaths linked to these environmental shifts, with Europe warming at roughly double the global average rate. In western Germany, a wildfire in the Hürtgen forest forced more than 2,000 residents to flee their homes, seeking refuge in a local primary school. The fire approached the village of Gey, located near the Belgian border, raising concerns about community safety. Firefighters faced additional challenges due to unexploded World War II munitions found in the area, which caused explosions as they burned, making direct intervention dangerous. Support from German military units, including tanks and helicopters, was deployed to aid containment efforts. Meanwhile, in Croatia, a powerful wildfire struck the coastal town of Lokva Rogoznica, destroying homes and displacing approximately 1,000 people. The blaze, driven by strong winds, injured dozens and prompted emergency shelters to open in nearby towns. Health officials reported that 14 of the 36 individuals treated in Split, about 15.5 miles north, required hospitalization, with seven suffering life-threatening injuries. Regional fire commanders described the fire as one of the worst in recent memory, though no fatalities have been officially confirmed. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković visited the affected area near Omiš, where evacuees were temporarily housed in a sports hall, expressing concern over the scale of the disaster. He emphasized that while the situation was severe, the absence of confirmed deaths was a critical factor in assessing the impact. Efforts to control the fire appear to have slowed, with officials stating that the blaze showed signs of calming by Friday morning. As the region continues to grapple with the consequences of prolonged droughts and rising temperatures, authorities are working to manage both the immediate dangers posed by the fires and the long-term implications of climate-driven disasters. With more than 500 arrests in France alone and widespread evacuations across Europe, the scope of the crisis underscores the growing challenge of responding to increasingly destructive wildfires.