Heatwave and wildfires hit southern Europe

A brutal heatwave triggers red alerts and widespread evacuations as temperatures top 40C across multiple countries.

Heatwave Fuels Wildfires Across Southern Europe

A blistering heatwave has pushed temperatures above 40C in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and parts of the Balkans, triggering dozens of wildfires and red heat alerts. Forecasts warn of 44C in Seville, Cordoba and parts of Portugal, while authorities urge residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor work.

In Spain, almost 4,000 residents were evacuated in Castile and Leon as more than 30 fires burned across the region and hundreds of homes were threatened near Tarifa. In Italy a child died of heatstroke, and a four-year-old Romanian boy in Sardinia died after being found unconscious in a car. Firefighting crews, including soldiers and aircraft from several countries, have been deployed to curb the spread as the heatwave returns for a second time in recent weeks.

This heatwave shows how climate change is turning summers into longer, more dangerous events. It tests the limits of emergency services and health systems across borders and raises questions about how governments fund climate adaptation and firefighting capacity.

The cross-border response highlights a need for better regional planning, early warning, and support for vulnerable communities. Tourism and heritage sites face risk, and the social costs of evacuations may linger well after the flames are out.

Highlights

The region faces a testing period as authorities balance immediate firefighting with longer-term climate resilience.