Fires rage in thousands of locations across Greece, as the sweltering heat of the European heatwave takes hold.
Europe Battles Record Wildfires Amidst Heatwaves
Europe is currently grappling with a surge of wildfires, with countries such as Greece, Spain, and Portugal experiencing some of the most intense blazes in recent history. The wildfires are primarily caused by prolonged heatwaves, extreme drought conditions, and high temperatures linked to climate change.
Greece and Spain Under Siege
The Greek coastguard has helped evacuate nearly 80 people from Chios and near Patras, as more than 20 villages in the western Achaia region were evacuated on Tuesday. In Greece, since dawn on Wednesday, 4,850 firefighters and 33 planes have been mobilized to combat the blazes. A fire near the ancient Mycenaean archaeological site of Voudeni, seven kilometers from Patras, threatens forested zones and homes.
Spain, too, has been severely affected. The country has accounted for nearly 40% of the EU's burned area, with over 400,000 hectares scorched. Two people have lost their lives in the wildfires. Fierce wind is hampering the task of water bombers and collecting water at sea.
Portugal's Struggle
Portugal, which has already burned nearly 274,000 hectares early in the season, is approaching or exceeding previous annual records. A blaze in the central municipality of Trancoso has been raging since Saturday, with locals volunteering to help firefighters combat the blaze.
Impacts and Prevention Measures
In 2025, wildfires in the European Union burned over one million hectares—a record high surpassing the previous worst year of 2017. These wildfires devastate ecosystems, agriculture, and communities, destroying homes and infrastructure and causing fatalities.
Prevention and mitigation measures include early warning systems and monitoring, forest management, public awareness and restrictions, emergency preparedness, and climate action. Some Southern European countries are also testing innovative approaches such as community involvement and landscape-scale restoration to enhance resilience.
Elsewhere in Europe
Elsewhere in Europe, Italy has managed to extinguish a blaze on Mount Vesuvius, while the UK Health Security Agency has warned of significant impacts on health and social care services due to the harsh heat in central and southeastern England.
As Europe battles these record wildfires, it becomes increasingly clear that comprehensive prevention requires a mix of immediate fire management, public preparedness, and long-term climate mitigation efforts.
Read also:
- Germany's three-month tenure under Merz's administration feels significantly extended
- Governing body allegedly persists in enjoying vacation time amidst Spain's highest danger level due to fires, claims Feijóo
- United Nations Human Rights Evaluation, Session 45: United Kingdom's Statement Regarding Mauritius' Human Rights Record
- Hurricane-potential storm Erin forms, poised to become the first hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean this year.
