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A severe heatwave is exacerbating numerous wildfires across Southern Europe, prompting the displacement of thousands and driving temperatures above 40C (104F).
Red heat alerts, signifying significant health risks, have been issued for areas within Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Balkans.
According to Spain’s meteorological agency, Aemet, temperatures in Seville and Cordoba could soar to 44C (111.2F), with similar forecasts for southern Portugal.
Tragically, in Spain, an equestrian center employee succumbed to severe burns sustained in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, where winds exceeding 70km/h (43mph) propelled flames toward residential areas, forcing mass evacuations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the situation on X on Tuesday, affirming that rescue services “are working tirelessly to extinguish the fires.”
He cautioned, “We are at extreme risk of forest fires. Please be very cautious.”
In the Castile and Leon region of north-western Spain, nearly 4,000 individuals were evacuated amidst reports of over 30 active blazes, one of which threatens Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its ancient gold mines.
An additional 2,000 people were evacuated from hotels and residences near the popular tourist destination of Tarifa in Andalusia.
Approximately 1,000 soldiers were deployed to combat the wildfires nationwide, according to Spain’s national military emergency unit on Tuesday morning.
In neighboring Portugal, firefighters are battling three major wildfires, with the most critical situation near Trancoso, in the country’s central region, being contained on Tuesday.
Over 1,300 firefighters and 14 aircraft were deployed, with Morocco providing two planes following mechanical issues with Portuguese water bombers, Reuters reported. Authorities warned that southern regions could experience temperatures as high as 44C, with nighttime temperatures not expected to fall below 25C.
In Italy, a child died of heatstroke on Monday, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C later in the week. Red heat alerts are in effect for 16 cities, including Rome, Milan, and Florence.
A four-year-old Romanian boy found unconscious in a car in Sardinia was airlifted to a hospital in Rome but died due to irreversible brain damage reportedly caused by heatstroke, medical authorities told AFP.
Nearly three-quarters of France is under heat advisory, with temperatures expected to surpass 36C in the Paris region and 40C in the Rhône Valley.
French Health Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that hospitals are preparing for the potential health consequences of the country’s second heatwave in recent weeks.
Greece is grappling with over 100 wildfires, intensified by strong winds. Mass evacuations are underway on the tourist island of Zakynthos and in western Achaia, where fires have destroyed homes and businesses.
Rescue boats have been evacuating beachgoers trapped by advancing flames on Chios, and authorities have requested water bombers from the EU.
Turkey has brought several major fires under control, including those in Canakkale and Izmir, after hundreds were evacuated and the Dardanelles Strait and Canakkale airport were temporarily closed.
In Montenegro, a soldier died and another was injured when their water tanker overturned while battling fires near the capital, Podgorica.
Wildfires in Albania forced residents to evacuate their homes on Monday, while in Croatia, a large fire in Split was contained on Tuesday.
Parts of the UK are experiencing their fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 33C and amber and yellow heat health alerts in place across England.
Two grassfires erupted in London on Tuesday, one in Ealing and another in Wanstead Flats, collectively burning over 17 acres.
Scientists warn that global warming is contributing to hotter and drier Mediterranean summers, leading to longer and more severe fire seasons.
Additional reporting by Nikos Papanikolaou.
Crews are sent to a fire on a large area of grass and gorse at Woodside.
London Fire Brigade is seeing increased grass fire reports in the capital’s fourth heatwave of the summer.
Experts say the vast majority of wildfires in Scotland are caused by inadvertent human activity.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway wants to “reduce pressure” on fire crews as they tackle the blaze.
The 2025 wildfire season has become the second-worst on record, surpassing the 2023 season.
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