Wildfires Sweep Southern Europe as Heat Fuels Evacuations

Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to burn across southern Europe, with firefighters battling major blazes in France, Spain, Portugal and Greece after weeks of extreme heat.

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More than 20,000 hectares of land have been scorched across the region, while officials have warned that rising temperatures and strong winds could worsen conditions in the coming days. Emergency crews remain on high alert as new fires continue to break out.

France battles growing Pyrenees blaze

One of the largest fires is burning in the foothills of the French Pyrenees near the Spanish border, where around 700 firefighters are working to contain a blaze that has consumed about 5,000 hectares. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from nearby communities.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said wildfire conditions had deteriorated again on Monday, adding that fires were now burning in five departments and that twice as much land had burned in France this year compared with the same period in 2025.

Residents described the speed of the advancing flames as alarming. One villager said the fire came within 300 metres of homes and spread so rapidly that it caused panic.

The wildfire also disrupted the Tour de France, with authorities banning spectators from attending the finish area of Monday's third stage through the Pyrenees. Officials said only riders and essential race vehicles would be allowed on the route.

Spain and Portugal face difficult conditions

Across the border in Spain, a wildfire has burned about 2,200 hectares, most of it within the protected Les Gavarres natural area in Catalonia. Fire officials said the blaze had been stabilised, although rising temperatures and numerous hotspots continued to pose challenges. They hope to extinguish the fire later this week.

Further south, more than 500 residents were evacuated after another wildfire spread into the Sierra de Espadán National Park in Castellón province.

In Portugal, more than 1,200 firefighters, supported by hundreds of vehicles and 15 aircraft, have been battling a major fire in the Vouzela area. The blaze has burned roughly 13,000 hectares since it began last week.

Firefighting assistance has arrived from Spain and Italy, and Portuguese emergency officials said about 80% of the fire was under control by Monday despite ongoing dangerous hotspots. Interior Minister Luís Neves described current wildfire conditions as a "powder keg."

Greece and Balkans also affected

Wildfires have also spread elsewhere in southern Europe.

In Greece, a forest fire near the northern city of Thessaloniki spread into two factories, including a recycling plant that produced toxic smoke. Authorities issued evacuation alerts for three suburbs and advised residents in affected areas to remain indoors with windows and doors closed.

Another wildfire west of Athens prompted the deployment of 210 firefighters, supported by volunteers, specialist teams and 29 aircraft, to combat flames moving through pine forests near Mandra.

Elsewhere, fires damaged forests, vineyards and scrubland on Croatia's island of Hvar and in the Albanian town of Tale.

Heatwave raises wildfire risk

The fires follow unusually early and intense heatwaves in May and June that shattered temperature records across western Europe and left vegetation exceptionally dry.

Scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said the extreme temperatures recorded in June would have been "virtually impossible" without human-driven climate change. Temperatures are expected to climb again this week, with some areas forecast to reach 40C.

Fire officials in France warned that the wildfire season was only beginning and urged the public to remain vigilant as emergency services prepare for a prolonged summer of heightened fire risk.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 6 July 2026

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