Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several countries as authorities issued health warnings affecting millions of residents and tourists. Scientists and public officials have warned that climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of extreme heat events.

The latest heat wave has placed growing pressure on healthcare services, electricity generation, inland waterways, transportation networks and tourism, underscoring the challenges European countries face as extreme weather becomes more common.

Italy Places All Major Cities Under Red Alert

Italy’s Health Ministry placed all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system on red alert, marking the first time this year that every monitored city has simultaneously reached the highest warning level.

The alerts cover cities from Trieste in northeastern Italy to Palermo in Sicily and indicate that extreme heat poses health risks to the general population, not only vulnerable groups such as older adults, children and people with chronic illnesses.

Authorities urged residents and visitors to remain indoors during the hottest hours of the day, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and stay well hydrated.

To reduce daytime exposure, cultural authorities extended evening opening hours at major tourist attractions, including Rome’s Colosseum and the Pantheon.

Rome Expands Emergency Cooling Measures

Municipal authorities introduced additional measures to help residents and visitors cope with the heat.

Cooling mist systems were installed at entrances to the Colosseum, while additional emergency medical stations were deployed nearby.

The city also expanded access to its free municipal “urban beach” at Tiberis along the Tiber River in the Marconi district. The recreational area offers swimming pools, drinking fountains and shaded spaces where families can escape the extreme temperatures.

Central Europe Records Historic Heat and Drought

Slovakia set a new national temperature record after thermometers reached 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) in Dolné Plachtince, according to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute.

Exceptionally low water levels on the Danube River forced Slovakia’s largest hydroelectric power station at Gabčíkovo to shut down seven of its eight turbines, significantly reducing electricity production. The TASR news agency reported the facility has generated about 15% less electricity this year than during the same period in 2025.

The Slovak Academy of Sciences said July recorded the lowest Danube river flow ever measured.

Austria also registered its highest recorded temperature after readings reached 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria.

The country is experiencing severe drought, with rainfall from Jan. 1 through June 30 measuring 27% below the long-term average. Some eastern regions received only about half of their normal precipitation. Climatologist Alexander Orlik said parts of Austria had not experienced such dry conditions since 1885.

Energy and Transportation Systems Under Pressure

The prolonged drought has significantly affected energy production in several countries.

In Hungary, exceptionally low Danube water levels forced the country’s only nuclear power plant to reduce electricity generation to about 10% of its normal capacity because of limited cooling water availability.

The government responded by introducing emergency electricity conservation measures.

Authorities asked households and major industrial consumers to reduce electricity use during evening peak hours. Freight train operations were suspended between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., decorative lighting on prominent landmarks in Budapest was switched off, and several major manufacturers—including Mol, Gedeon Richter, Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW—announced plans to reduce electricity consumption.

The government also canceled parliamentary sessions during the week as part of broader energy-saving efforts.

Budapest recorded its warmest overnight temperature on record Wednesday, with temperatures falling only to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit).

Germany also faced growing concerns over falling water levels on the Rhine River, where Transport Minister Steffen Bilger warned that reduced river depths threatened inland shipping, industrial supply chains and freight transportation.

Environmental organization BUND called for stronger long-term measures to improve river resilience through enhanced water retention and reduced withdrawals during droughts.

Wildfire Risk Remains Elevated

Wildfire danger remained high across several parts of Europe.

In southeastern France, firefighters continued monitoring a major wildfire in the Var region after authorities said the blaze had stopped spreading but could reignite under hot, dry and windy conditions.

The fire has burned more than 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) since July 20, making it the region’s largest wildfire in decades.

In England, although temperatures moderated, the effects of the country’s driest July on record persisted after a grass fire temporarily forced the closure of Heathrow Airport’s southern runway on Thursday.

Across the Balkans, firefighters battled multiple wildfires as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.

Emergency crews responded to fires west of Belgrade and near Kraljevo in Serbia, while tourists in Croatia’s coastal city of Dubrovnik sought shelter during the hottest part of the day.

Authorities across Europe continue to monitor public health, electricity demand, water supplies and wildfire conditions as forecasters warn that extreme temperatures are expected to persist in many regions.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The persistent heat has intensified wildfire activity, strained emergency services and worsened drought conditions across the continent. Authorities warned that the combination of high temperatures, strong winds and dry vegetation is expected to keep fire danger elevated in the coming days.

Greece Battles Expanding Wildfires

Firefighters continued battling a major wildfire west of Athens after flames broke through containment lines one day after a fatal helicopter collision claimed the lives of two aerial firefighting crew members.

Greek authorities said a Greek firefighter and a Danish pilot were killed in Sunday’s crash, while two other crew members survived and remain hospitalized. All four were private contractors supporting the Greek Fire Service.

Strong winds returned to southern Greece on Monday, pushing flames toward mountain communities and forcing additional evacuations. More than 1,000 residents and visitors have left the seaside resort of Porto Germeno and nearby areas, including more than 250 people evacuated by boat from local beaches.

Fire Service spokesperson Yiannis Artopios said the blaze remained difficult to control despite the deployment of 12 water-dropping aircraft and 11 helicopters.

Authorities said a faulty power line connected to a wind farm may have started the fire. Police arrested two contractors on suspicion of negligent arson as investigators continued examining the cause.

Officials warned that wildfire conditions around Athens are expected to remain dangerous throughout the week.

France Keeps Thousands of Firefighters on the Front Line

France also continued its large-scale firefighting effort despite making progress against its largest wildfire on record.

Authorities allowed thousands of residents and tourists to return home after confirming the massive blaze in southwestern France remained contained.

More than 224,000 people were evacuated during the emergency, making it the country’s largest civilian evacuation outside wartime.

The wildfire burned about 420 square kilometers (162 square miles) of forest—roughly four times the size of Paris. Officials said 183 homes were destroyed in Le Porge, while campsites on the Cap Ferret peninsula remained closed.

Farther southeast, firefighters continued battling another wildfire in Provence. Around 1,500 emergency personnel remained at the scene, supported by helicopters, as forecasters warned that stronger winds could increase the risk of renewed fire activity.

United Kingdom Faces Historic Drought

The United Kingdom experienced its driest July since rainfall records began nearly two centuries ago, according to the Met Office.

Weeks of exceptionally low rainfall and repeated heatwaves left all of Wales and more than half of England officially in drought.

Provisional figures also showed Wales recorded its warmest average July on record, while both England and the United Kingdom experienced their second-warmest July.

The prolonged dry conditions have increased pressure on water supplies and raised concerns about further environmental impacts if rainfall remains below normal.

Wildfire Risk Remains High Across Europe

Wildfire danger remains elevated across several parts of Europe.

The European Forest Fire Information System said high fire risk is expected to continue through at least Aug. 5, including in regions that do not typically experience severe wildfire conditions.

In the Netherlands, firefighters responded to a large forest fire in Limburg province after another period of hot, dry weather. Rail services were suspended between nearby towns, and the Dutch air force deployed two Chinook helicopters equipped with water buckets to support firefighting operations. A nearby campsite was also evacuated because of heavy smoke.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe has been warming more than twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s. Scientists say rising temperatures and prolonged drought are leaving forests and vegetation increasingly dry, allowing wildfires to spread more quickly and burn with greater intensity.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The wildfire in the Gironde region near Bordeaux has become one of France’s largest civilian evacuation operations outside wartime, according to French authorities cited by The Associated Press. Emergency officials have ordered evacuations across dozens of communities as extreme heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds continue to fuel the fire.

The disaster underscores growing concerns across southern Europe, where recurring heat waves and prolonged drought have increased wildfire risks and placed mounting pressure on emergency services.

Mass Evacuations Continue Across Gironde

Regional authorities ordered the evacuation of two dozen towns and villages in Gironde, including communities directly threatened by the advancing fire and nearby areas considered at risk.

Among those forced to flee was Morgane Bonichot, a 40-year-old childcare worker from Saint-Jean-d’Illac, who received an emergency alert at 2:47 a.m. instructing residents to evacuate immediately.

Bonichot left with her 9-year-old daughter, their rabbit and their dog after neighbors helped transport the family when their car broke down.

They later arrived at a temporary shelter in Bordeaux, where authorities have provided beds, food, medical assistance and veterinary care for displaced residents and their pets.

“I just can’t put my animals through another journey,” Bonichot said, explaining that she would only return once officials declared it safe.

Firefighters Expand Response as Blaze Grows

The wildfire has scorched an area estimated to be roughly four times the size of Paris, according to The Associated Press.

Firefighters continue using ground crews, helicopters and water-dropping aircraft to slow the fire’s advance through forests and populated areas.

Authorities briefly paused evacuations after fire activity eased on Monday, but renewed flare-ups prompted additional precautionary evacuations on Tuesday.

Another 4,000 people were ordered to leave campsites, holiday villages and vacation homes along the northern edge of the fire.

Elsewhere in southwest Europe, major wildfires in Spain have also displaced tens of thousands of people, bringing the combined number of evacuees across France and Spain to approximately 330,000.

Heat and Drought Intensify Wildfire Risk

French authorities said evacuated residents will not be permitted to return until the wildfire is fully contained.

Some residents have been allowed back to several suburbs west of Bordeaux after officials determined those areas were no longer under immediate threat, but many communities remain under evacuation orders.

Fire crews continue responding to flare-ups while aircraft drop water and fire retardant on active fire fronts. Smoke from the wildfire has been visible for many kilometers across the region.

The wildfire follows successive heat waves across Europe that have left forests and vegetation exceptionally dry, increasing the likelihood of rapidly spreading fires.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service has reported that Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average, with prolonged heat and drought contributing to increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

For thousands of displaced residents, the immediate priority remains returning home safely. For governments across Europe, the fires highlight the growing challenge of preparing for larger and more frequent wildfire emergencies.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The latest evacuation order followed new fire outbreaks near Grand Crohot, a popular beach on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula. Authorities increased the aerial firefighting response from 18 to 23 aircraft and helicopters as crews worked to contain the advancing flames.

“The situation remains complicated. That’s clear. We’re not out of the woods,” Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said.

The additional evacuations expanded what French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has described as “very likely” the country’s largest civilian evacuation operation outside wartime.

Fire Conditions Remain Highly Volatile

Authorities said approximately 60,000 residents evacuated as a precaution from Le Haillan and parts of Mérignac and Eysines near Bordeaux were allowed to return home Tuesday after no fires developed in those areas.

Even so, officials instructed returning residents to keep their mobile phones on and emergency bags prepared in case conditions changed.

The contrasting decisions—allowing tens of thousands to return while ordering thousands more to evacuate coastal communities—highlighted the unpredictable nature of the wildfire crisis.

Across France and Spain, an estimated 330,000 people have been displaced from homes and vacation destinations by major wildfires. Spain is also preparing for its fourth heat wave of the summer while several large fires remain active, including what authorities say is the largest wildfire in the country’s recorded history.

Gironde Fire Remains France’s Largest Emergency

The Gironde wildfire has burned an area roughly four times the size of Paris and prompted the evacuation of approximately 220,000 people.

The latest precautionary evacuation order covers campsites, holiday villages, tourist residences and leisure parks around the resort town of Lacanau, regional authorities said.

“We are at a point of fragility,” Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for France’s National Federation of Firefighters, told BFMTV, adding that crews would continue attacking the blaze despite forecasts of rising temperatures.

Some vacationers chose to remain despite official warnings. According to Le Parisien, one family decided to continue a vacation rather than forfeit a €4,000 holiday, while another group debated leaving a trip that had cost each traveler €650.

Extreme Fire Behavior Challenges Firefighters

At its peak, the Gironde wildfire generated a pyrocumulonimbus cloud—a fire-driven thunderstorm capable of producing lightning, powerful winds and new fires beyond the main blaze. Authorities said it was the first recorded occurrence of the phenomenon in France.

France’s national weather service placed Gironde under a yellow heat alert beginning Tuesday afternoon, forecasting inland temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius (91 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Interior Ministry said more than 1,160 square kilometers (448 square miles) have burned across France this year.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that Europe is warming more than twice as fast as the global average and that Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, with prolonged heat and drought contributing to increasingly severe wildfire conditions.

Firefighters Continue Protecting Communities

In Le Porge, west of Bordeaux, local authorities said approximately 150 homes had been destroyed.

Officials warned that smoldering vegetation, rising temperatures and falling humidity could trigger new flare-ups along the fire’s extensive perimeter.

Military engineers and specialized wildfire prevention teams resumed cutting firebreaks early Tuesday, bringing the total completed to 103 kilometers (64 miles). The prefecture said at least 110 firefighters have been injured during operations.

Thousands Return Home as Separate Fire Stabilizes

In neighboring Landes department, about 15,000 evacuees—roughly half of those displaced there—were allowed to return after a separate wildfire stopped advancing.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday evening that the Landes fire had been “fixed,” meaning its forward spread had been halted without new outbreaks.

Residents returning included those from Sanguinet, Parentis-en-Born, Biscarrosse’s aviation village and a large campground, although several nearby neighborhoods remained closed.

Authorities stressed that the fire has not been extinguished and warned that lingering hot spots, drought and shifting winds could reignite the blaze.

Spain Allows Some Residents to Return as Heat Threat Builds

Spanish authorities also began easing evacuation orders after firefighters made overnight progress against several major wildfires.

Francisco Martín, the Spanish government’s representative in the Madrid region, said evacuation orders would be lifted in 10 municipalities, allowing about 20,000 residents to return home while ending stay-at-home orders affecting another 14,000 people.

Authorities also permitted residents to return to some villages in Ávila, while another 6,000 people returned after a wildfire near Toledo came under control. Several thousand more residents also returned in Castellón.

Hundreds of firefighters, military emergency units and water-dropping aircraft remain deployed against multiple large fires.

Smoke from the wildfires drifted into Madrid in recent days, with emergency services reporting noticeable smoke and ash across parts of the capital.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said overnight firefighting efforts left him “reasonably positive,” while cautioning that another period of extreme heat could quickly reverse recent progress.

Spain’s national weather service forecasts temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas during what is expected to become the country’s fourth heat wave of the summer. The government has declared a national emergency over the fires.

Spain Faces One of Its Deadliest Fire Seasons

At least 13 people have died in Spanish wildfires this year, making 2026 one of the country’s deadliest wildfire seasons in decades.

The greatest concern remains two major fires west of Madrid that at times have threatened to merge into a single blaze.

Authorities said a wildfire burning in the mountains of Ávila has become the largest on record in Spain, scorching more than 500 square kilometers (193 square miles).

Weather officials in Ávila also reported the formation of a pyrocumulonimbus cloud above the fire, a phenomenon previously observed during major Spanish wildfire seasons.

“Look at how the valley is burned. Look at the houses, the people,” said David Gonzalez, a gardener delivering supplies to firefighters in Ávila.

“We are feeling a lot of anger and helplessness. It’s something inhuman,” he said.

Spanish Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen said wildfires have burned approximately 1,530 square kilometers (590 square miles) across the country this year.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for a national agreement to strengthen wildfire prevention and emergency response, saying climate change is making such disasters increasingly severe.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Speaking during a visit Monday to the wildfire coordination center in Lège-Cap-Ferret, Macron praised emergency crews for slowing the advance of a massive blaze that has burned since last week, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and scorching an area roughly four times the size of Paris.

“We’re facing a completely unprecedented fire,” Macron said, describing the disaster as France’s most severe wildfire emergency since World War II. He urged firefighters to “stay strong” and assured affected communities that “we will win this battle together.”

Firefighters Strengthen Containment Ahead of Heat Wave

Authorities said firefighters succeeded in halting the fire’s advance on Monday after days of rapid spread that brought flames to within about 15 kilometers (9 miles) of the outskirts of Bordeaux. Despite that progress, officials stressed that the wildfire remains active, with large areas continuing to smolder.

France’s national weather service forecast temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher across southwestern France beginning Tuesday, raising concerns that hot, dry and windy conditions could quickly reignite parts of the fire.

Thousands of firefighters, supported by water-dropping aircraft and helicopters, continued reinforcing containment lines and extinguishing hotspots before temperatures rise again.

Macron cautioned that recovery would be a lengthy process.

“The weeks ahead will be hard. We must hold firm,” he said.

Evacuations Disrupt Communities and Tourism

The two major wildfires burning in southwestern France have forced about 250,000 people to evacuate, with Macron acknowledging the hardship facing displaced residents.

He said many evacuees had experienced significant trauma, with some losing their homes and possessions.

Although no new evacuation orders were announced Monday, authorities maintained restrictions across parts of the Gironde region surrounding Bordeaux as France approaches its peak summer tourism season.

Officials suspended holiday camps for children and people with disabilities, while government ministers urged travelers to postpone nonessential visits to the area, known for its Atlantic coastline, vineyards and extensive forests.

Firefighters continued constructing defensive firebreaks using heavy machinery, while local farmers supplied water to crews working along the fire perimeter.

Regional fire officials told Macron the wildfire had behaved unlike previous fires, at times generating its own weather systems and fire-induced thunderstorms that sparked additional flare-ups.

Southern Europe Faces Expanding Wildfire Emergency

France is among several southern European countries confronting an exceptionally severe wildfire season.

Authorities said around a dozen countries have deployed aircraft, helicopters, firefighters and other emergency resources to assist operations in France and Spain.

In Spain, wildfires near Madrid and in the Valencia region have forced approximately 79,000 people to evacuate, while another 30,000 residents have been instructed to remain indoors because of the fire threat.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the increasingly destructive wildfire seasons reflect the growing effects of climate change rather than isolated natural disasters.

“What we are experiencing is not a series of isolated incidents. It is the consequence of a climate emergency that is making wildfires even more violent, heat waves more frequent,” Sánchez said.

Spanish authorities said a wildfire in Ávila, west of Madrid, has become the country’s largest on record after burning about 500 square kilometers (193 square miles), roughly five times the area of Barcelona.

Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen said wildfires have burned approximately 1,530 square kilometers (590 square miles) across Spain this year, about six times the area affected during the same period in 2025. Spain’s national weather agency has forecast temperatures exceeding 40 C (104 F) during another heat wave expected to begin Tuesday.

Italy Also Battles New Wildfire Threats

Italy continued responding to wildfire activity after a wind-driven blaze erupted Sunday near Peschici in the southern Puglia region.

Authorities evacuated about 300 tourists from nearby beaches and campgrounds, while the Italian Coast Guard transported evacuees by sea to the town of Vieste, where temporary shelters were established.

Three Canadair water-bombing aircraft and ground firefighting crews remained engaged Monday as officials worked to prevent the blaze from expanding in an area that experienced devastating wildfires in 2007.

The simultaneous emergencies across France, Spain and Italy highlight the mounting pressure on European emergency services as prolonged heat, drought and strong winds continue to elevate wildfire risks across the region.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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The main fire in the Gironde region has reached within about 15 kilometers (9 miles) of Bordeaux, according to Mayor Thomas Cazenave, who said authorities have no plans to evacuate the city’s population of about 850,000. Tens of thousands of residents in surrounding communities have already been ordered to leave their homes.

France and Spain have experienced some of Europe’s most destructive wildfires in recent days, with more than 330,000 people evacuated across both countries. The simultaneous emergencies have renewed concerns over the growing impact of prolonged drought and extreme heat across southern Europe.

Macron said the French government would help affected communities recover “for as long as is needed,” while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that conditions in Gironde remained “very unfavourable” as shifting winds continued to push the fire toward Bordeaux.

New Heatwave Threatens to Intensify Fire Conditions

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across parts of France beginning Tuesday, increasing the risk of further fire spread and placing additional pressure on emergency services.

France’s National Firefighters Federation (FNSPF) said the Gironde wildfire generated a rare pyrocumulonimbus cloud—a fire-induced thunderstorm capable of producing powerful winds and lightning that can rapidly change a wildfire’s behavior.

FNSPF spokesperson Eric Brocardi said firefighters were unable to directly attack the shifting fire front because of its unpredictable movement.

“We don’t know how the blaze will spread, the fire front is constantly shifting. We cannot fight it directly,” Brocardi said, describing the operation as “a David-versus-Goliath scenario.”

He said bringing the fire under control could require several days of heavy rainfall or allowing the blaze to burn into terrain where it could naturally lose intensity, such as coastal areas.

Gironde Fire Becomes One of France’s Largest in Decades

The Gironde wildfire has burned about 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres), making it one of France’s largest forest fires since World War II.

Authorities said nearly 98,000 hectares (242,000 acres) have burned across France since the beginning of the year, while more than 220,000 people have been evacuated from southwestern regions.

Firefighters from across the country have been deployed to reinforce operations around Bordeaux as officials work to protect communities and critical infrastructure.

Spain Battles Expanding Wildfire Emergency

Spain is also confronting a worsening wildfire crisis.

Firefighters continued battling a new blaze near the eastern city of Valencia on Sunday after approximately 15,000 residents were evacuated.

Pilar Bernabé, the central government’s representative in Valencia, described the fire as “very intense” and warned that deteriorating weather conditions could worsen the situation.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said firefighters were making gradual progress, but Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cautioned that “difficult hours lie ahead” during a visit to the fire zone in Ávila province west of Madrid.

Sánchez also called for “a major public pact on the climate emergency.”

King Felipe VI, speaking during a visit to an emergency shelter in Villamanta southwest of Madrid, said the fires had caused “incalculable” damage to Spain’s natural heritage.

Authorities estimate that approximately 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres) have burned across Spain this year. Ecological Transition Minister Sara Aagesen said the wildfire in Ávila is the country’s largest in recent history.

More than 90,000 people have been evacuated from areas surrounding Madrid and Ávila as shifting winds pushed the fires toward additional communities.

Among those displaced was Olga Congacha, who returned briefly to her home in Robledo de Chavela to collect medicine and found the village deserted and covered in ash.

Southern Europe Faces Increasing Wildfire Challenges

Authorities have not announced a coordinated European response, but the concurrent wildfire emergencies in France and Spain underscore the growing challenges posed by increasingly severe wildfire seasons across southern Europe.

Emergency officials continue monitoring weather conditions closely as high temperatures, strong winds and prolonged drought threaten to fuel additional fire activity in the coming days.

This report is based on reporting by BBC News.

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More than 200 firefighters, supported by ground crews and water-dropping aircraft, continued battling the nearly week-old fire on Wednesday. Authorities said 34 villages have been evacuated, although no serious injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Historic Wildfire Stretches Emergency Response

Spanish officials described the Guadalajara wildfire as one of the country’s largest forest fires in recent decades.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited affected communities near the village of Tamajón, northeast of Madrid, on Wednesday. During the visit, he urged political leaders to unite in addressing climate change, arguing that increasingly destructive wildfires demonstrate its growing impact.

“Year after year we clearly see how climate change kills and destroys wealth in our communities,” Sánchez said. “This isn’t politics. It is science, it’s about facts.”

Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, described the blaze as the largest wildfire ever recorded in the Castilla-La Mancha region and among the largest in the country’s recent history.

According to Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the Guadalajara wildfire ranks as Spain’s second-largest on record, surpassed only by a fire that burned about 37,000 hectares (91,000 acres) in northwestern Spain last year, according to data cited by EFE.

Firefighters Protect Communities

Emergency crews have concentrated on preventing the fire from reaching populated areas while battling flames across mostly protected natural land.

Regional authorities said firefighters have successfully protected homes in all 40 villages within the affected zone, approximately 90% of which lies inside a national park.

Emiliano García-Page, president of the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, said officials hope to bring the wildfire under control by Friday.

Among the evacuated communities is Zarzuela de Jadraque, where all 100 residents left the village on Friday. Fourteen evacuees remain in temporary accommodation provided by the Red Cross.

Mayor Miguel Ángel Moreno praised firefighters for their efforts, saying they deserved recognition comparable to Spain’s World Cup-winning football players.

“The firefighters had to run from one side of the village to the other putting out fires,” Moreno told Spanish broadcaster TVE. “Besides the heroes who won the World Cup, we have other heroes who remain nameless.”

Spain Faces Another Severe Wildfire Season

The Guadalajara fire comes less than two weeks after another deadly wildfire devastated a small expatriate community in southern Spain, killing 13 people, including several foreign nationals.

Spain has already recorded 22 major wildfires this year. Authorities classify a major wildfire as one that burns more than 500 hectares (1,235 acres).

Sánchez said more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) have already burned during the first half of the year, matching Spain’s average annual total over the past decade.

Mediterranean Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk

Spain’s national weather agency warned that a heat wave beginning Tuesday was expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures reaching around 40°C (104°F) across several inland regions and exceeding 42°C (108°F) in parts of Andalusia.

Guadalajara and large parts of Spain remained under heat alerts as high temperatures, strong winds and limited rainfall created conditions favorable for rapidly spreading wildfires.

The extreme weather extends well beyond Spain.

Firefighters in Sicily have responded to more than 1,000 emergency incidents since Saturday as multiple wildfires spread across the Italian island. Authorities evacuated about 100 people from homes and a healthcare facility in Agrigento while relocating 22 patients because of nearby fires and concerns over an oxygen storage facility.

Italy’s Civil Protection Department has maintained Sicily at its highest wildfire alert level as temperatures approached or exceeded 40°C.

Greece was forecast to experience temperatures above 42°C during what officials expected to be the final day of a four-day heat wave, with the Athens region and parts of southern and central Greece placed under the highest wildfire danger warning.

Cyprus also warned temperatures could reach 43°C (109°F).

In the United Kingdom, prolonged dry conditions prompted Thames Water to introduce a hosepipe ban affecting approximately 10 million customers across southern England beginning Thursday after more than a month without significant rainfall in some areas.

Meanwhile, France’s public health agency estimated that a record heat wave between June 17 and July 2 contributed to at least 5,700 excess deaths. The agency said 21,674 deaths from all causes were recorded during the period, compared with a modeled expectation of 15,910 under normal conditions.

Climate Concerns Remain in Focus

The wildfire emergency comes as Europe experiences increasingly frequent and intense periods of extreme heat.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average since the 1980s.

Scientists say rising temperatures and prolonged drought are increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, particularly across southern Europe, leaving the region increasingly vulnerable to destructive fire seasons.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Spain Wildfires | Guadalajara Fire | Mediterranean Heat Wave | Climate Change | Europe Weather | Emergency Response | Extreme Heat | Civil Protection

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The wildfire, which erupted late Thursday near the Sierra de los Filabres in Almería province, has burned about 66 square kilometers (25 square miles) of forest and farmland—an area roughly the size of Manhattan.

Authorities said improving weather conditions, including lighter winds and higher humidity, have helped firefighting efforts, although the fire remains difficult to control because of its size.

Firefighters make gradual progress

Antonio Sanz, head of Andalusia’s emergency services, said crews carried out controlled burns overnight along the fire’s perimeter to slow its advance.

Spain’s official EFE news agency reported that favorable weather conditions were expected to continue through Sunday, potentially improving containment efforts.

Justice Minister Félix Bolaños said nearly all homes along the fire’s perimeter had escaped damage despite the scale of the blaze.

Authorities have evacuated 1,448 people from 11 affected areas as firefighters continue working to prevent further destruction.

Most victims died while trying to flee

Officials said most of those killed were believed to be foreign nationals who ignored shelter-in-place orders issued as the fire spread.

Seven victims died after abandoning their vehicles and attempting to escape on foot.

Regional authorities believe four of the victims were British because their burned vehicle had a right-hand steering wheel, consistent with vehicles registered in the United Kingdom.

Sanz said autopsies had been completed and DNA samples collected to formally identify the victims.

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has spoken with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands regarding the wildfire, according to EFE. Almería is home to one of Andalusia’s largest foreign resident communities.

Survivors recount dramatic escape

Jeffrey Kember and his wife, Christine, were watching television at their farmhouse in Los Pinos when emergency sirens sounded, warning residents to evacuate.

The couple fled separately while also attempting to help a neighbor caring for two toddlers.

Kember said he briefly lost contact with his wife because she did not have a mobile phone.

“I’m driving through the flames. It was actually flames. I thought, ‘I can’t stop, I just gotta go,'” he told The Associated Press after the couple reunited at an evacuation center.

“It was eerie because all of a sudden I came out of the flames and it was all bright sunshine. It was like surreal.”

Spanish authorities also arrested two people for allegedly ignoring evacuation orders and returning to a restricted high-risk area, according to EFE.

Emergency teams continued searching the Bédar area for any additional victims.

Heat fuels wildfire danger across Europe

Spain has experienced increasingly frequent and intense heat waves in recent years, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Bolaños attributed the wildfire’s rapid spread to what he described as a “climate emergency,” saying flames advanced at speeds of up to 100 meters (328 feet) per minute at the height of the blaze.

Spain’s national meteorological agency warned that wildfire conditions would remain at a very high level over the weekend.

Earlier this summer, Spain recorded several days of record-breaking heat that authorities linked to more than 1,000 excess deaths.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average, making it the world’s fastest-warming continent.

France also battles major wildfires

France continued fighting multiple wildfires on Saturday as another heat wave gripped much of the country.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 32 people had been arrested since the beginning of the summer in connection with wildfires.

“Those unacceptable acts, which have disastrous consequences and mobilize our firefighters at the risk of their lives, now fall into the hands of the justice system,” he said.

President Emmanuel Macron noted that nine out of every 10 wildfires begin because of human activity.

More than 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) have burned across France since the start of 2026, roughly twice the area affected during the same period last year.

The country’s third heat wave of the summer prompted temporary operational changes at major tourist attractions, with the Eiffel Tower shortening opening hours and both the Louvre Museum and Musée d’Orsay reducing operating schedules because of extreme temperatures.

History of destructive wildfires

Spain remains highly vulnerable to large wildfires during prolonged periods of drought and extreme heat.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, wildfires burned more than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) across Spain last year, claiming four lives.

Spain’s deadliest recorded wildfire occurred in 1979, when 21 people died in Lloret de Mar, northeast of Barcelona.

Neighboring Portugal suffered one of Europe’s worst wildfire disasters in 2017, when 66 people died near Pedrógão Grande, including 47 victims who became trapped while attempting to flee by car.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Spain | Wildfires | Almería | Europe | Climate | Emergency Response | France | Natural Disasters

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As heat waves become more frequent and intense, public health experts are urging people to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, especially when temperatures remain high overnight and access to air conditioning is limited.

According to health specialists cited by the Associated Press, prolonged exposure to high temperatures—particularly when combined with elevated humidity—can overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature. Climate change is also contributing to increasingly severe heat waves and greater heat stress in many parts of the world.

Understanding Heat Risk

Air temperature alone does not determine how dangerous hot weather can be. Experts say humidity, wind, cloud cover, and direct sunlight all influence how the body experiences heat.

One of the most comprehensive measurements is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which considers temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed. While WBGT is commonly used in occupational and athletic settings, the heat index—which combines temperature and humidity—is more widely available through weather forecasts and mobile applications.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also provides a heat index chart that estimates the health risks associated with prolonged exposure. Under NOAA guidance, temperatures of 96 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) combined with 45% humidity fall within the “danger” category for extended outdoor activity or strenuous exercise.

Recent research cited in the report suggests that even healthy young adults may struggle to tolerate prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity.

Why Warm Nights Matter

Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, said overnight cooling plays a critical role in allowing the body to recover from daytime heat exposure.

“Your body needs a reprieve,” Ward said. “You don’t get that overnight, we start the next day at a deficit.”

Ward noted that overnight temperatures remaining above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) have been associated with higher rates of heat-related illness, heat stroke, emergency medical visits, and deaths.

Without sufficient nighttime cooling, the body’s accumulated heat stress can continue into the following day, increasing health risks during prolonged heat waves.

Staying Cool Without Air Conditioning

Although air conditioning remains one of the most effective protections against extreme heat, experts acknowledge that it is not available or affordable for everyone.

Ward recommends creating a designated “cool corner” inside the home if cooling an entire residence is not possible. Sleeping in the coolest available area may help the body recover overnight before temperatures rise again.

Cooling strategies may vary depending on local climate conditions. Evaporative, or “swamp,” coolers can be effective in dry environments but may increase indoor humidity, making them less suitable in already humid regions. In humid climates, using electric fans is generally considered a better option.

People without home air conditioning are also encouraged to seek relief in air-conditioned public buildings, including libraries, shopping centers, movie theaters, or community cooling centers where available.

The report also notes that assistance programs may help some households obtain cooling equipment. In the United States, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may provide support for purchasing window air conditioning units, according to the National Council on Aging. Some local nonprofit organizations and community groups may also offer assistance.

Workplace Heat Protections

Outdoor workers face elevated risks during periods of extreme heat. Workplace protections vary by jurisdiction, and some U.S. states—including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota, and Maryland—have adopted heat safety regulations, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Bharat Venkat, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Heat Lab, said that while regulations exist in some locations, workers may still encounter barriers that make protective measures difficult to access.

He noted that shaded rest areas may be located far from work sites, potentially discouraging breaks if workers fear losing wages. Some employees may also have limited ability to influence their schedules or request additional safety measures.

Within those limitations, Venkat recommends staying well hydrated, cooling the body with cold water, and placing cool, wet cloths on areas such as the neck, armpits, hands, and feet. Portable handheld fans and cooling vests may also help reduce heat stress.

People exercising outdoors should avoid the hottest part of the day and carry more drinking water than they expect to need.

Recognizing Heat Illness

Early recognition of heat-related illness can help prevent medical emergencies.

Venkat said symptoms differ between individuals, and certain medications or medical conditions may reduce the body’s ability to regulate temperature or recognize overheating.

Initial warning signs often include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, and headaches. At that stage, experts recommend stopping physical activity immediately, moving to a cooler location, and using cold water to lower body temperature.

As heat exhaustion develops, symptoms may progress to dizziness and a rapid heartbeat. Heat stroke—the most severe form of heat illness—can involve confusion, slurred speech, fainting, or loss of consciousness.

Ward urged people not to delay seeking emergency medical attention when severe symptoms appear.

“Don’t be embarrassed to call 911 or go to urgent care when you think you might have overdone it in the heat,” Ward said.

Environmental Context

Scientists have found that climate change is increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves in many regions. While individual heat events cannot be attributed solely to climate change, rising global temperatures are contributing to greater heat exposure and increasing public health risks.

Health experts continue to emphasize that preparation, access to cooling, hydration, and prompt recognition of heat illness remain among the most effective ways to reduce harm during periods of extreme heat.

Tags: Heat Wave, Extreme Heat, Climate Change, Heat Safety, Public Health, Heat Stress, Air Conditioning, NOAA, Heat Illness, Outdoor Workers, Environmental Health, Weather Safety

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