Every summer, Europe burns.

Forests disappear.

Wildlife loses its habitat.

Families are forced to leave their homes.

Firefighters risk their lives to protect what can still be saved.

Yet once the headlines fade, so do most of these stories.

Over the next heat periods, I plan to travel across Europe to document the people living on the front lines of the climate crisis. From catastrophic wildfires and threatened ecosystems to the quiet determination of those fighting to preserve them, this long-term photojournalism project explores what is at stake when nature reaches its breaking point.

This is not a project about flames alone.

It is about BIO habitats, environmental conservation and people who sometimes lost everything except of their life.

And the urgent question of how much of Europe's natural heritage can still be protected before it is too late.

Through immersive visual storytelling and first-hand reporting.

Because some of the most important stories begin when everyone else has already left.

Large-scale firefighting operations in response to wildfires spreading across Europe.

France - Departement Var, 20.07. - 23.07.2026

French firefighters battle rapidly spreading wildfires across the Var department in southeastern France between 21 and 23 July 2026.

Strong Mistral winds let the fires repeatedly reignited and spread into new areas, which led to major aerial and ground firefighting operation involving helicopters, Canadair CL-415 water bombers and Dash 8 aircraft.

PHOTO CHRISTOPH RUTENKOLK