Death in wildfire close to Madrid
Mediterranean Europe Suffers Devastating Wildfires Amidst Record Heatwave
A severe wildfire crisis is unfolding across Mediterranean Europe, with Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Albania, and Turkey experiencing significant damage, casualties, evacuations, and widespread burned areas due to an extreme heatwave fueling the wildfires.
Spain is grappling with its worst wildfire season in over 30 years, with nearly 400,000 hectares burned across the country, particularly in the provinces of Ourense, León, and Zamora. Some fires, like the one in Molezuelas de la Carballeda (Castilla y León), are the largest in Spanish history. At least 4 people have lost their lives, dozens have been injured, and over 30,000 people have been evacuated. Many villages have been destroyed, and critical infrastructure such as the Madrid-Galicia rail line was suspended due to fire risks. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Las Médulas was also severely damaged.
Portugal has imposed government-imposed restrictions on access to forested areas and bans on agricultural equipment usage to reduce fire risks. While specific figures on burned areas and casualties are not as detailed, the country is part of the severely affected Mediterranean region.
Croatia is mentioned among the affected countries, but the precise status of ongoing fires, casualties, and evacuations in Croatia from the current data is not detailed in the sources available.
Albania has seen large wildfires, with thousands of firefighters, soldiers, police, and volunteers involved in firefighting efforts. Evacuations of villages have taken place in affected regions. Satellite imagery shows persistent smoke from Albanian fires as of mid-August, indicating ongoing fire activity and significant damage.
Turkey has faced severe wildfires affecting 33 provinces out of 81, with more fires recorded than in 2024 by mid-August. Large-scale evacuations have occurred, and extensive fire damage has been reported due to the extreme heatwave and strong winds accompanying the fires.
In addition to these countries, France has suffered one of its largest fires in the Aude department, burning 16,000 hectares and causing injuries and damage to multiple municipalities. Across the European Union, 1,736 fires have been detected, burning approximately 894,770 hectares (2.21 million acres) since early 2025. There have been at least 23 wildfire-related deaths and hundreds injured, with tens of thousands evacuated across affected countries.
The wildfires have been intensified by a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C in many areas, combined with dry conditions and strong winds, making containment challenging. The heat wave is affecting Portugal and Europe, and the fires are also affecting countries such as Turkey, Croatia, and Albania.
As the crisis continues, emergency services and local authorities are working tirelessly to contain the fires and provide support to those affected.
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