Intense heat and relentless fires continue unabated
Spain Faces Severe Heatwave and Wildfires in 2025
Spain has been battling the effects of intense heatwaves in recent years, with the 2025 summer being one of the most challenging on record. The country experienced record-breaking temperatures, widespread wildfires, and a significant rise in deaths attributed to the heat.
The heatwave in 2025 saw temperatures soaring to as high as 46.0°C in June, surpassing previous records and creating hazardous conditions across the country. This extreme heat was linked to 1,149 excess deaths between August 3-18, 2025, as reported by the Carlos III Health Institute, with confirmed deaths in June also tied to high temperatures.
The extreme heat, combined with dry conditions and low humidity, fueled widespread wildfires. Over 1,570 km² of land was destroyed in Spain due to fires, especially in August, prompting regional and national authorities to request EU assistance for firefighting efforts. Multiple evacuations were undertaken in areas threatened by these fires.
Spain activated national and EU Civil Protection Mechanism assistance to combat the worsening wildfires. The national weather agency Aemet issued warnings for very high fire risks due to sustained extreme heat and dryness.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of these heatwaves to global warming, leading to more prolonged and extreme summer conditions in Spain and across Europe.
The 2021 heatwave specifics, including current status, evacuations, and response efforts, are not available in the latest data. However, the 2025 events reflect ongoing trends of increasingly intense heatwaves in Spain with severe impacts on health and wildfire risk.
In addition to Spain, several other countries have been affected by the unusually hot weather. Finland experienced 22 consecutive days of temperatures above 30°C in July, while in Italy, temperatures in Florence are expected to reach 39°C. Albania has been one of the hardest-hit countries, with firefighters tirelessly battling fires. France has responded to the call and announced the dispatch of two specialized aircraft for fighting fires in Spain.
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has condemned the death of a 36-year-old volunteer in León. In addition to Castile and León, Galicia, the Valencia region, and Extremadura are causing concern in Spain. Eleven fires in Spain are classified at level 2 out of 4.
In Greece, firefighters have managed to contain the fire that threatened Patras, but there are still active fires in the eastern suburbs. The unusually hot weather has also sparked forest fires in several regions, including Spain, where, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 148,000 hectares have gone up in smoke this year.
Reindeer in northern Europe have been driven to seek shade in cities due to the unusually hot weather. The heatwave has also caused concern in northern Europe, with a total of 12 million vehicles expected on the roads for the weekend getaway in Italy on August 15. In Italy, 16 cities, including Rome and Venice, are on high alert due to searing heat.
- The severe heatwave and wildfires in Spain in 2025 highlight the connection between climate change and weather patterns, underscoring the need for further research in environmental science.
- The ongoing trend of more intense heatwaves and wildfires in Spain, as seen in 2025, calls for immediate policy-and-legislation action in politics to address the challenges posed by climate change.
- As the climate changes, general news outlets are reporting instances of unusually hot weather across Europe, such as in Finland, Italy, and Greece, emphasizing the global impact of climate change on the environment.
