Suffocating under a heat wave, Europe struggles for fresh air
Europe Endures Intense Heatwave and Wildfires
Europe is currently experiencing an unprecedented heatwave that has led to widespread wildfires, numerous evacuations, and heat alerts across various countries.
Wildfires Ravage Europe
The heatwaves have fueled numerous wildfires across Europe, severely damaging ecosystems, properties, and air quality. The United Kingdom, for instance, has already surpassed its worst fire year on record, with over 29,000 hectares burned by late April. Southern European countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal have faced dangerous and widespread wildfires due to record temperatures.
Evacuations on a Large Scale
While specific numbers of evacuations are not detailed, the scale of wildfires and extreme heat has led to emergency responses in affected countries, implying significant evacuation efforts, especially in southern Europe where the impact was most severe.
Heat Alerts Issued Across Europe
Multiple countries have issued heat alerts in response to record-breaking temperatures. For example, Portugal and Spain have broken national records with temperatures exceeding 46°C (115°F), while other countries have set regional records. The UK Met Office defines a heatwave based on specific temperature thresholds and has been closely monitoring and alerting during the heatwave events.
Geographical Scope of the Heatwave
The heatwave affected much of Europe starting in late May 2025, with record temperatures recorded as early as April. The UK, southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Greece), and Fennoscandian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland) experienced sustained high temperatures, including heatwaves lasting about two weeks in mid-July in the north. Iceland and Greenland also saw record-breaking heat in late May.
Impact on Human Health and Population
A preliminary analysis estimated about 2,300 heat-related deaths over a 10-day period in 12 cities analyzed in July 2025, triple the projected deaths without human-induced climate change. Previous years have seen tens of thousands of heat-related deaths across Europe.
Long-term Trends
The frequency of hot days has substantially increased in Europe compared to decades ago, particularly in southern Europe where cities like Seville now average over 100 very hot days per year, stressing ongoing climate adaptation challenges.
Wildfires Across Europe
In Portugal, three major fires remain active, including the large Trancoso blaze in central Portugal. Authorities in France have declared a maximum alert in 14 departments in the southwest and center-east. In Castile and León, about 600 people who evacuated due to a fire near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Médulas have returned home, but several blazes near Zamora continue to burn. In southern Spain, the tourist hotspot of Tarifa in Andalusia was threatened by wildfires, prompting rapid evacuations. Wildfires have broken out across large parts of the continent, particularly the Iberian Peninsula.
Heat Dome Over Europe
Meteorologist Akshay Duras from the University of Reading attributes the extreme temperatures to a stable "heat dome" over Europe. The heatwave is expected to continue, causing further concerns for public safety, wildfire risks, and the environment.
The Heatwave's Effect on Environmental ScienceThe current heatwave has significantly impacted the environment in Europe, driving a surge in wildfires and threatening ecosystems, as evidenced in regions like Spain, Portugal, and Greece.
Climate Change ImplicationsThe unexpected frequency and intensity of heatwaves like the one currently affecting Europe suggest potential long-term climate change impacts, raising concerns about future weather patterns and their effects on human health, property, and the environment.
