Southern Europe continues to battle intense wildfires as a relentless heatwave — intensified by human-driven climate change — scorches the region, triggering mass evacuations and international firefighting support.
Spain on Thursday confirmed its third wildfire-related death this week, after a person battling flames in the northwestern Castile and Leon region died. Authorities had earlier reported fatalities there and near Madrid. Almost 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) have burned in Spain this year — more than double the area lost in the same period of 2024.
Regional officials in Castile and Leon said nearly 6,000 people from 26 localities have been evacuated. Spain has requested European Union assistance, prompting France to dispatch two water bombers to reinforce overstretched crews battling multiple fronts, particularly in the northwest.
In Greece, firefighters gained ground against a major blaze threatening Patras, the country’s third-largest city. Although the fire remained active in the eastern outskirts, gentler winds aided efforts by 600 ground personnel and nearly 30 water-bombing aircraft. Additional outbreaks were reported on the islands of Zante and Chios, as well as near Preveza, with the National Observatory of Athens estimating that the Patras fire and other blazes have consumed more than 10,000 hectares.
Greek police detained three men aged 19 to 27 for allegedly starting separate fires near Patras on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Portugal mobilised over 1,900 firefighters to tackle four major blazes, including one in Trancoso that has destroyed around 14,000 hectares since Saturday, and another in Arganil involving 800 firefighters. Residents described terrifying scenes as flames engulfed hillsides, with some refusing to evacuate.
The Balkans have seen a slight easing of extreme heat, but fires continue to threaten homes in Albania and Montenegro, where water-bombing aircraft are helping contain outbreaks.
Meanwhile, Italy placed Rome, Venice, and 14 other cities on red alert for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 39°C in Florence ahead of a busy holiday weekend.
