Escalating Wildfires Across Southern Europe
Thousands of people across Spain, France, Portugal, and the Balkans have been forced to evacuate their homes this week as deadly wildfires continue to spread through Southern Europe. These blazes are part of a broader pattern of extreme weather that has impacted the region since late June, with additional fires reported in London on Monday.
Experts warn that the current situation is far from normal. “Don’t be fooled — this isn’t ‘normal, or just summer.’ It’s not normal, it’s a nightmare,” said Serge Zaka, an agricultural climatologist, in an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV. The extreme heat is expected to be among the second or third-hottest years on record, with temperatures potentially exceeding 44°C in parts of Europe this week.
Travelers planning trips to these popular destinations should be aware of the ongoing impact of the wildfires. Here’s a detailed look at how each country is coping with the crisis.
Spain: Widespread Evacuations and Tragic Losses
In Spain, a fire near Madrid in Tres Cantos has led to the evacuation of over 37,000 people from 16 municipalities. Reports indicate two human deaths and 168 animal fatalities. A man who suffered burns covering 98% of his body died after being airlifted to La Paz hospital. Fires have also affected the north-western region of Castilla y León, including damage to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman-era mining site at Les Médulas.
In Ourense province, a fire burned through 3,000 hectares of land, while 2,000 people were evacuated in Tarifa. National services are on standby, with nearly 1,000 armed forces joining firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, a firefighter was arrested near Avila for admitting to starting a fire weeks earlier in pursuit of potential income from putting it out.
Madrid-Barajas airport remains operational, though travel within the region may be affected. Trains between Galicia and Madrid have been halted by the rail operator.
Portugal: Intense Firefighting Efforts
Portugal is also battling wildfires, particularly in the Trancoso municipality, where over 700 firefighters are working to control the flames northeast of Lisbon. A local mayor expressed frustration, saying, “We are being cooked alive, this cannot continue.” Francisco Sá Carneiro airport in Porto remains open, though there have been minor delays in arrivals and departures.
France: High Heat Alerts and Controlled Blazes
France has issued red alerts in 12 departments due to extreme heat, the highest warning level since 2004. A fire in the Aude region last week burned 4,000 acres, but officials say it is under control. Flights to Carcassonne, the nearest airport, are still operating.
Albania: Deadly Fires and Evacuations
Wildfires in Albania have resulted in the death of an elderly man and injuries to eight others. According to the Albanian Defense Minister, 37 forest fires have been reported nationwide, with 30 still burning. Evacuations have occurred in villages in Elbasan, Vlora, and Berat. No airport closures have been reported.
Greece: Mass Evacuations and Destruction
Greece has seen over 152 new fires, leading to evacuations in dozens of villages. Thousands have been displaced from the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos. Flames have also reached Patras, destroying homes and businesses. Three fire fronts over 15 km remain uncontained in Zante. At least 13 firefighters have been injured, and rescue boats are evacuating stranded residents.
Montenegro: Contained Fires and Tragic Incident
Wildfires near Gornja Vrbica, Podgorica, were contained on Tuesday, preventing damage to a church and cemetery. However, a soldier died and another was seriously injured when a water tanker overturned during firefighting efforts. Families have been evacuated from a region north of the capital as army units work to protect ancient ruins. Authorities have warned residents to save drinking water.
Turkey: Evacuations and Property Damage
Hundreds of residents in Turkey have been evacuated due to a fire in the north-western province of Çanakkale. Holiday homes and a university campus have also been evacuated, though no flight cancellations have been reported.
Bulgaria: Prolonged Firefighting Efforts
Bulgaria reported 159 new fires yesterday, with the fire in Pirin now in a low-intensity state. Despite this, the area has suffered severe damage. The director of Pirin National Park described the scene as apocalyptic, with people not having seen such fires in recent years. No flight cancellations have been reported.
