Madrid: Southern Europe wildfires have intensified during a severe heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, claiming lives and forcing thousands to evacuate across multiple countries.
Authorities in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans have issued red heat alerts, warning of serious health risks as parts of Spain and Portugal record highs of 44 degrees Celsius. In Spain, an equestrian centre worker has died from severe burns in Tres Cantos near Madrid, where strong winds drove wildfires towards homes.
Almost 4,000 residents have been evacuated in Castile and Leon, with one fire threatening the UNESCO-listed Las Médulas site. A further 2,000 people have left homes and hotels in Tarifa, Andalusia, while nearly 1,000 soldiers have been deployed nationwide to tackle more than 30 active blazes.
Los equipos de emergencia siguen luchando contra el fuego en diferentes puntos de nuestro país.
La situación de los incendios sigue siendo grave. Extremar la precaución es esencial.
Gracias, una vez más, a quienes trabajáis sin descanso para combatir las llamas. https://t.co/v1a2q6sTkA
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) August 13, 2025
Portugal is battling three major wildfires, with the most severe near Trancoso in the country’s centre. More than 1,300 firefighters and 14 aircraft are engaged, with Morocco sending two planes after technical failures grounded Portuguese water bombers. Southern regions are forecast to reach 44 degrees Celsius, with night-time lows above 25 degrees Celsius.
In Italy, a child has died from heatstroke and red heat alerts have been issued for at least 10 cities including Rome, Milan and Florence. France has placed almost three-quarters of the country under heat alerts, with the Rhône Valley expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Greece is facing more than 150 fires, prompting evacuations on Zakynthos and in western Achaia, where officials report irreversible damage to coastal areas.
Fires have also struck Turkey, Montenegro, Albania and Croatia, while parts of the United Kingdom face their fourth heatwave of the year, with 33 degrees Celsius recorded and wildfires and grassfires breaking out in London. Scientists have warned that climate change is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, driving longer and more intense fire seasons.
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