Europe in flames: wildfires sweep from the Balkans to the Iberian peninsula

Europe is grappling with an unprecedented summer of extreme heat and rampant wildfires, fueled by climate change and exacerbated by strong winds and dry conditions.

From Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece to Spain, Portugal and France, millions are facing record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40°C and battling devastating blazes that have forced mass evacuations, destroyed homes, and claimed lives.

Climate change is exacerbating the risk by creating hotter and drier background conditions. Greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning coal, oil and gas, have warmed the planet by about 1.3 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. Europe has warmed twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Bulgaria: lack of specialised resources

The Ministry of Interior reported over 1,000 fires in recent days, with nearly a third attributed to arson or negligence, such as unextinguished cigarette butts or burning yard waste.

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov announced on 12 August that in the last 24 hours, 159 fires were extinguished, 27 caused material damage, including nine in residential buildings.

Bulgaria faces significant challenges in combating wildfires due to the absence of specialised firefighting aircraft. For years, the country has underestimated the escalating risk of fires, leaving its disaster response capabilities critically underfunded and underdeveloped.

Currently, Bulgaria relies heavily on external support to manage large-scale fires. The activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has brought critical assistance, including four helicopters from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and France, as well as two aircraft from Sweden, to help extinguish fires across the country.

Greece: A fiery grip tightens

Since 12 August Greece has faced over 150 wildfires in 48 hours, driven by strong winds and high temperatures. The Fire Service, with 4,850 firefighters and 33 aerial units, is battling blazes across Achaia, Chios, Epirus, Zakynthos, Aetoloakarnania, and the Ionian Islands. Western Achaia remains under a state of emergency, with flames threatening residential areas. Mayor Grigoris Alexopoulos described the scene: “You look around and see flames everywhere.”

In Chios, fires in the Amani area burn on three fronts, prompting evacuations of beaches and settlements. The Coast Guard rescued dozens from Limnia and Agia Markela, while hundreds spent the night in safe zones.

In Epirus, active fire fronts in Arta and Preveza have triggered repeated evacuation alerts, with Thesprotiko’s Health Center evacuated. On Zakynthos, the Lithakia fire threatens settlements, while a new blaze in Kefalonia’s Atheras area emerged early Wednesday. Greece has requested four water planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to combat the escalating crisis, particularly on Zakynthos and in Achaia, where 20 villages have been evacuated. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has placed all forces on high alert, urging citizens to follow evacuation orders and avoid actions that could spark new fires.

Spain: fatal fires and mass evacuations

In Spain, a wildfire near Madrid that erupted on 11 August was largely contained by Tuesday, but not before claiming one life – a man who suffered burns to 98% of his body. Firefighters and nearly 1,000 soldiers are battling blazes across Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia, and Galicia.

Thousands, including beachgoers in southern Spain, were evacuated from homes and hotels, though some have been allowed to return. The combination of high temperatures and dry conditions continues to fuel fire risks across the country.

Portugal: firefighters battle multiple fronts

In Portugal, over 700 firefighters are tackling a major blaze in Trancoso, 220 miles northeast of Lisbon, with smaller fires burning in northern regions. The dry, windy conditions have made containment efforts challenging, and authorities remain vigilant as the fire threat persists.

Turkey: evacuations by land and sea

In northwestern Turkey’s Canakkale province, a large wildfire that began on farmland spread rapidly through wooded and residential areas, forcing the evacuation of 2,000 residents, some by sea.

The blaze, now largely contained, hospitalized 77 people due to smoke inhalation. Two other fires in Manisa and Izmir continue to challenge firefighters, as reported by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli.

France: biggest wildfire in eight decades

A massive wildfire that has scorched through 16,000 hectares of forest and villages in southern France since Tuesday has now been contained, local authorities said on Thursday.

France’s biggest wildfire in nearly eight decades has killed a woman whom officials said had disregarded evacuation orders, made 18 injuries, including 16 firefighters. The blaze destroyed 36 houses, damaged 20 others, and forced some 2,000 residents and holidaymakers to flee the area.

At the height of the crisis, approximately 5,000 households lost power, and as of Thursday evening, around 1,500 homes were still without electricity, local authorities said.

Climate change: the underlying driver

The Copernicus Climate Change Service confirms that 2024 was Europe’s hottest year on record, with the continent warming at twice the global average.

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires to climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels like petrol, oil, and coal, which release heat-trapping gases. This summer’s extreme weather underscores the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Another source used: Reuters

Caption: A firefighting airplane battles a wildfire burning in the area of Lithakia in Zakynthos island, western Greece, 13 August 2025. Firefighters, volunteers, and aircraft have been fighting since 12 August to extinguish fires raging in many areas of Greece. All tourist accommodation in the Agala and Keri areas on the island has been evacuated. EPA/COSTAS SYNETOS