Two new studies reveal climate change's fingerprints over extreme fire weather-triggering infernos in Spain and France. Researchers at World Weather Attribution found human-caused climate change made Spain's record fire 20 times more likely and doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions in France. Another study shows extreme fire-prone days in Southern Europe have more than doubled compared to decades ago. Experts emphasize that climate change is already impacting fire severity and stress the need to stop burning fossil fuels.

Major wildfires have forced tens of thousands to flee their homes in southwestern France and Spain. On Friday, the touristic Cap Ferret peninsula in France was evacuated, with over 60,000 residents escaping the area. In Spain, a national emergency was declared as 20,000 people were evacuated from villages near Madrid. Both countries have requested help from fellow European Union members. The fires have burned over 100 square kilometers in France and are believed to be accidental. Southern Europe has faced multiple large fires this summer, with climate change exacerbating heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable.

Wildfire smoke, which is increasing in the Northern Hemisphere as the climate warms, attacks nearly every system in the body. And medical studies show that it is killing tens of thousands of people a year. Within hours, ambulance calls increase. And then emergency room visits soar for breathing problems, especially asthma. People start having heart issues. ER visits for mental health concerns also jump. People have trouble focusing. Pregnant women give birth prematurely and to underweight babies. Men’s sperm is weakened. That's because smoke as an irritant triggers the immune system. And smoke has thousands of chemicals in it, many of them toxins.

Severe storms have dumped over 20 inches of rain in parts of Texas, causing significant flooding. The Guadalupe River rose rapidly early Thursday, affecting areas still recovering from last year's deadly flash floods. Experts say slow-moving storms fueled by lots of moisture created days of downpours. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said drones and helicopters are being used for rescues. Experts said the flooding is severe but not as bad in some areas as last year. Climate change may be creating conditions that make storms like these more common.