Europe confronts surge in wildfires as heatwave grips continent

Across much of Europe a blistering heatwave has ignited a new wave of forest fires, prompting mass evacuations in several countries and stretching firefighting resources to the limit.

Forecasts from AFP based on data from the German weather service and the Joint Research Centre warned that on Friday more than 150 million people in France, Germany, Spain and Italy could see temperatures exceed 35 °C, while a further 350 million would endure heat above 30 °C. The extreme weather has already contributed to thousands of heat‑related deaths this summer and heightened the risk of uncontrolled blazes in densely forested regions.

Authorities in the affected nations are scrambling to protect lives and property. In the Landes region of southwest France, a fire that first broke out on Thursday has now scorched 15.8 square kilometres, forcing around 650 residents and holiday‑makers to flee. Regional prefect Gilles Clavreul said the blaze required the deployment of 550 firefighters and that he had requested a Chinook water‑bombing helicopter from the government.

I have asked the government to send a Chinook water‑bombing helicopter to help combat the fire,

Southwest France and the Iberian Peninsula

In addition to the Landes blaze, a separate fire in the Aragon region of northeastern Spain has been burning for six days, affecting more than 15 000 hectares. Firefighters have managed to halt its advance towards two historic monasteries, one dating back to the 10th century, and have evacuated roughly 1 000 people from 18 villages. Light rain and cooler temperatures are expected later this week, offering a brief reprieve.

Central and Eastern Europe

Across the border in Germany’s Eifel area, near Belgium, about 1 400 firefighters are battling a major fire that forced the evacuation of 1 800 residents from the town of Hurtgenwald, which has a population of roughly 9 000. In Belgium, a wildfire in the Fagnes natural park near the German frontier has already consumed 8.5 square kilometres, prompting reinforcements from both countries.

Further east, the Croatian island of Dugi otok saw more than 100 firefighters and two water‑bombing planes work through the night to contain a blaze threatening numerous homes. A second fire on the Peljesac peninsula, which had engulfed vineyards and olive groves, was brought under control after a concerted effort involving 240 firefighters and three aircraft.

In the Balkans, Serbian officials reported 25 serious forest fires, including one that has devastated 25 square kilometres in the Deliblatska national park near Belgrade. Meanwhile, Greece remains on high alert as strong winds keep the fire risk elevated, with more than fifty agricultural and forest fires reported in the past 24 hours, most of which were quickly contained.

These incidents come as the continent endures one of its hottest summers on record, highlighting the growing challenge of managing climate‑related disasters. For a broader view of the heatwave’s reach, see more than 150 million in Europe face temperatures over 35C on Friday.

Looking ahead, national governments are likely to seek greater cooperation on fire‑fighting resources, including shared aerial assets and cross‑border command structures, to better respond to future heat‑driven emergencies.