Wildfires Ravage France, Spain as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk Across Europe
Wildfires intensified across parts of France and Spain as extreme heat and dry conditions continued to fuel blazes, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate and putting emergency services under severe pressure.
French authorities have warned that the risk of wildfires remains extremely high after several large fires in the country’s south scorched thousands of hectares this week, disrupted the Tour de France cycling race and stretched firefighting resources.
The largest blaze, burning in the eastern Pyrenees near the Spanish border, had eased in intensity by Friday, according to authorities. However, it had already destroyed about 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of land and prompted the temporary evacuation of more than 10,000 people from nearby communities.
France also experienced its hottest June on record last month, with deaths rising by nearly one-third during the most intense week of the heatwave.
Scientists have warned that climate change, driven largely by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gasoline, is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions, making many regions more susceptible to devastating wildfires.
Spain has also continued to battle recurring wildfires. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, more than 393,000 hectares of land—an area almost twice the size of London—were destroyed during the country’s 2025 fire season, with four fatalities recorded.
Spain’s deadliest wildfire occurred in 1979 when 21 people lost their lives in Lloret de Mar, a coastal town north of Barcelona.
Neighbouring Portugal also suffered one of Europe’s worst wildfire disasters in 2017, when 66 people were killed in Pedrogao Grande, about 200 kilometres northeast of Lisbon. Forty-seven of the victims died while attempting to escape the fast-moving flames in their vehicles.
Authorities across southern Europe remain on high alert as soaring temperatures and prolonged dry weather continue to heighten the risk of new wildfires.
