Wildfires hit Europe as heatwaves continue

Fires across Greece Italy and France leave casualties and threaten communities and tourism as heatwaves persist across the continent.

Wildfires spread across Europe with a death in Greece and Vesuvius trails closed

Wildfires continue to devastate parts of southern Europe. In Greece, an elderly man died in the Keratea region south of Athens as flames swept through dry brush and wind-driven embers. Firefighters say the high winds that have fueled the blazes will persist into the coming days, raising the risk to residents and responders. In Italy, firefighters fought a blaze on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius with hiking routes closed to visitors. The national fire service reported multiple teams on the ground and several Canadair aircraft aiding containment, while drones helped monitor spread. Authorities noted that the Pompeii area remained open to visitors despite the proximity of the fire. In France, the Aude region faced its largest wildfire in decades, with thousands of firefighters deployed, land scorched, and vineyards damaged. One resident was killed and dozens of people injured as authorities worked to prevent reignition and restore access while heat worsened conditions. Nearby Spain reported additional wildfires in Avila province as heat warnings remained in place. Weather services warned that extreme temperatures could complicate firefighting efforts in the coming days and weeks.

The spread of fires across multiple countries highlights a persistent climate pattern: hotter, drier summers intensify fire seasons and strain local emergency systems. The incidents point to a broader risk where infrastructure, tourism, and agriculture intersect with emergency response capacity. Officials emphasize containment work and continued vigilance, but the underlying drivers—heat, drought, and changing weather—shape a long, difficult fight that will require systemic investments in prevention, rapid response, and recovery for rural communities and wine regions alike.

Highlights

Continued fires will test communities and leaders as summer unfolds.