Europe Sizzles: Record Heat Ignites Wildfires Across the Continent
Southern Europe is reeling under its first significant heatwave of 2025, as scorching temperatures trigger widespread health warnings and spark devastating wildfires from Portugal to Turkiye. The mercury is soaring, breaking historical records and forcing authorities to take drastic measures to protect citizens and combat raging infernos.
Unprecedented Temperatures Bake Southern Nations:
Temperatures have consistently exceeded 40°C (104°F) across Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Spain, in particular, has seen a new national record for June, with the town of El Granado near the Portuguese border hitting a blistering 46°C. This surpasses the previous June high of 45.2°C set way back in Seville in 1965, underscoring the severity of the current conditions.
Lisbon, Portugal, is forecasted to reach 42°C, with two-thirds of the country now on high alert. Italy's Health Ministry has issued a red alert for 21 major cities, including tourist hubs like Rome, Milan, and Naples, where emergency services are reporting a 10% increase in heatstroke cases. Even after sunset, southern Spain is experiencing little relief, with nighttime lows stubbornly remaining above 30°C, posing serious health risks. The heatwave's reach extends beyond the Mediterranean, with France also placing 84 of its departments on orange alert.
Wildfires Rage, Forcing Evacuations:
The combination of extreme heat, parched landscapes, low humidity, and strong winds has created a tinderbox across the region, leading to widespread wildfires:
Turkiye Under Siege: The western province of Izmir is battling intense wildfires for a second consecutive day. Four villages and two neighborhoods have been evacuated, and the fires have threatened popular tourist towns, even leading to the temporary suspension of operations at Izmir Adnan Menderes airport. One major blaze in Foça was reportedly sparked by an arsonist who set his own house alight. Over 1,000 personnel, including firefighters, helicopters, and water-bombing aircraft, are relentlessly fighting the flames.
Greece on High Alert: Greece is also grappling with significant wildfires. A massive forest fire erupted south of Athens on June 26, prompting evacuation orders and the closure of a section of the coastal road to Cape Sounion. Authorities deployed extensive resources, including 130 firefighters, helicopters, and planes, evacuating 40 people from high-risk areas.
Portugal and Italy: High fire risk persists in Portugal, while firefighters are also tackling blazes in areas of Sicily, Italy.
Authorities Respond Amidst Growing Health Concerns:
Governments across Europe are activating emergency plans to cope with the crisis. Italy has notably banned outdoor work during peak heat hours in several regions, with trade unions pushing for this measure to be adopted nationwide. "Climate shelters" are being established, and free services are being offered to vulnerable populations in both Italy and Spain, where the Red Cross is deploying volunteers. France has seen approximately 200 schools suspend operations, while Greece's Red Cross volunteers are providing water to the homeless.
Climate Change's Shadow Looms Large:
Meteorologists and climate experts are unequivocal: these increasingly intense and early-season heatwaves are a direct consequence of human-driven climate change. The EU's climate monitoring agency, Copernicus, recently highlighted that March 2025 was the hottest March ever recorded in Europe, signaling a clear and alarming warming trend that continues to manifest in the scorching conditions currently gripping the continent.
