Southern Europe Battles Wildfires, Record Heat as Crisis Escalates

Deadly wildfires and soaring temperatures are sweeping across southern Europe this week, forcing evacuations in France, Spain, and Portugal as emergency services scramble to contain multiple blazes.

In France, the country’s largest wildfire of the season has already turned deadly. The fire, which broke out Tuesday in the southern Aude region, has killed one person, left nine injured, and destroyed at least 25 homes.

Officials say the blaze is moving fast — scorching over 15,000 hectares (more than 37,000 acres) in less than 24 hours. That’s more than the total land burned by all French wildfires in 2024 so far — and more than double the total for 2023.

“All of the nation’s resources are mobilised,” President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, calling on residents to act with “the utmost caution.”

More than 1,800 firefighters have been deployed, backed by 600 vehicles and a fleet of water-dropping planes. “We have at our disposal in the Aude department the maximum number of personnel and resources that we can have in the south of France in its entirety,” said Remi Recio, deputy prefect of Narbonne.

An elderly woman who refused to evacuate died in the fire. Another person is still missing. Two civilians were injured, including one in critical condition with burns. Seven firefighters also suffered smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but France’s environment ministry pointed to dry vegetation and severe drought in the Aude region as contributing factors. Water restrictions are already in place.

Just last month, a fire near Marseille injured around 300 people. Scientists continue to warn that Europe — the fastest-warming continent — is facing more intense heat and prolonged dry spells, making wildfire conditions worse year after year.