Southern Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave driving temperatures above 40°C (104°F), triggering widespread wildfires and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. The intensifying heatwave has led to red heat alerts in multiple countries including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Balkans, with parts of Spain and southern Portugal reportedly reaching soaring highs of 44°C (111.2°F).
In Spain, wildfires fueled by gusty winds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) caused rapid fire spread near Madrid’s suburb Tres Cantos, where an equestrian centre worker succumbed to severe burns. Hundreds were evacuated as the flames approached residential areas. The northwestern region of Castile and Leon witnessed over 30 separate fires, displacing nearly 4,000 people. A major fire in this region threatened the UNESCO World Heritage site Las Médulas, famous for its ancient gold mines. Additionally, about 2,000 individuals evacuated from homes and hotels near the tourist hotspot of Tarifa. Spain’s national military emergency unit deployed nearly 1,000 soldiers to assist firefighting efforts nationwide.
Portugal experienced multiple large wildfires, with firefighters battling a particularly serious blaze near Trancoso in central Portugal. The country deployed more than 1,300 firefighters and 14 aircraft, even receiving aerial firefighting support from Morocco due to mechanical issues with Portuguese water bombers. Temperatures in southern Portugal also neared 44°C amid continued fire risks.
Italy reported tragic heatwave-related fatalities, including a child who died of heatstroke. Red heat alerts covered major cities including Rome, Milan, and Florence, where temperatures hovered around 40°C. A 4-year-old boy in Sardinia died from heatstroke complications after being found unconscious in a car.
France confronted its second major heatwave in weeks, with three-quarters of the country under heat alerts. Temperatures in areas like Paris and the Rhône Valley were forecast to exceed 36°C and reach 40°C respectively. The southern Aude region faced one of the country’s largest wildfires in decades, burning more than 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) and causing injuries including to firefighters.
Greece battled over 150 wildfires intensified by fierce winds, prompting evacuations on Zakynthos island and the western Achaia region. Damage included destroyed homes, vehicles, and businesses, while rescue boats evacuated tourists trapped by flames along the coast. Greek authorities warned of worsening conditions in the coming days and requested additional EU firefighting aerial support.
Turkey, Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia also dealt with wildfire outbreaks. A soldier died in Montenegro during firefighting operations near the capital Podgorica. Several fires in Turkey were brought under control after evacuations and temporary closures of infrastructure.
In the UK, unusually high temperatures up to 33°C marked its fourth heatwave of the year, with grassfires reported in London. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of Mediterranean wildfires and heatwaves to global warming, which causes hotter and drier summers, creating conditions ripe for prolonged fire seasons.
Overall, this relentless heatwave and its associated wildfires represent one of the most severe wildfire seasons southern Europe has faced, with climate change being a key driver behind the escalating temperature extremes and fire risks. Emergency response units continue to battle the flames, while authorities urge extreme caution as the heatwave is forecast to persist into mid-August.
This crisis underscores the growing vulnerability of southern Europe to climate-driven disasters, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced climate adaptation and wildfire management strategies.
