Wildfires are causing chaos across southern Europe as a heatwave makes it tough to control the flames. Temperatures are expected to rise even more over the weekend.
In Spain, there are 14 large fires raging, shared by Virginia Barcones, general director of emergency services. “Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez posted on X.
The fires have claimed three lives, including two volunteer firefighters. Sánchez sent his condolences to the family of one volunteer who passed away after being severely burned in León.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET warns of extreme fire danger in many areas, especially in the north and west.
The ongoing heatwave, with some days reaching over 40°C, is expected to persist until Monday. Fires in Galicia have shut down some highways, and the high-speed train to Madrid is halted.
So far, Spanish fires have scorched 158,000 hectares, an area about the size of metropolitan London, according to the European Union’s European Forest Fire Information System.
Portugal Battles Blazes
In Portugal, almost 4,000 firefighters are tackling seven big fires. Authorities extended the state of alert through Sunday due to continuing high temperatures.
In the Guarda district, fires are spreading to nearby towns like Pinhel and Trancoso, putting them at risk.
In Alverca da Beira, worried residents tried to put out fires themselves after flames reached an abandoned house. Sadly, the former mayor of Vila Franca do Deão was found dead on Saturday, marking the first death in Portugal’s fires this year.
The Portuguese government asked for help from the EU’s civil protection mechanism. Spain got two Canadair water bomber planes after asking for EU assistance for the first time.
Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania have also sought EU help for wildfires recently, indicating how severe the situation is this year.
Worries Continue in Greece
In Greece, a wildfire on Chios Island raged for a fourth day, leading to more evacuations. Support from water-dropping planes and helicopters has been crucial. Calm winds on Friday morning helped firefighters tackle the blaze.
Earlier in the week, large fires in western Greece put fire services on high alert in Athens and nearby areas due to unfavorable weather conditions.
In Turkey, firefighters are working hard to control fires in several provinces, with signs of progress.
Experts say climate change is making heatwaves and dry conditions worse in Europe, making wildfires more common. Burning fossil fuels like coal and gas leads to heat-trapping gases, driving climate change even further.
Europe has been warming at twice the global average pace since the 1980s, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. They report that 2024 was the hottest year globally and in Europe, with near-record heat stress days.
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