Wildfires strain Europe as heatwave persists

Firefighters across Spain, Portugal and Greece tackle wildfires as a heat wave and drought persist, testing cross border aid arrangements and public resilience.

Spain Portugal Greece Battle Wildfires Amid Heatwave

Spain reported 14 major fires as temperatures topped 40C in parts of the country, with authorities warning of extreme fire risk through the weekend. In Galicia, several highways were closed and the high speed rail link to Madrid was suspended as crews battled fires that have scorched large swaths of land this year. The European fire picture is large: Spain has already logged about 158,000 hectares burned this year, prompting urgent containment efforts during the Feast of the Assumption holiday.

Portugal registered seven major fires with around 4,000 firefighters on duty. The government extended the alert through Sunday and sought assistance from the EU civil protection mechanism. Earlier in the week Spain received two Canadair water bombers after asking for EU help to tackle blazes for the first time. In Greece, a wildfire on the island of Chios burned for a fourth day, triggering evacuations while firefighters used water drop planes and helicopters to try to regain control as winds relaxed at times.

The flare up across three countries shows how wildfires have become a cross border risk, not a single national crisis. Officials point to climate driven heat and dryness that intensify fire behavior, meaning responses now rely on rapid cross border cooperation and shared resources. The EU fire protection mechanism has become a more frequent tool, highlighting how Europe must keep building a regional safety net as seasons grow more severe.

Beyond immediate firefighting, the events raise questions about budgets for prevention, forest management and climate adaptation. Local governments face pressure as the season lengthens and the public looks for reliable protection, while political leaders balance emergency spending with longer term reforms. The weeks ahead will test trust between citizens, scientists and officials as Europe navigates a hotter future.

Highlights

The fire season is far from over, and a steady hand will be needed to translate aid into safety.