Many parts of Europe are struggling with rampant wildfires. On July 30th, local time, some large fires in France, Spain, and Greece showed signs of easing, but continued high temperatures, dry vegetation, and strong winds still keep several southern European countries in a state of high alert.
According to Reuters, a fire in the area between Madrid, Spain and Castile-Leon has been controlled, and authorities have downgraded the emergency response level. However, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez warned that the danger is not lifted, and there are still at least 10 fires across the country that are cause for concern.
The fire near Bordeaux in the southwest of France has also been contained. Local police have arrested two people suspected of starting the fire. Data shows that the fire has destroyed approximately 42,000 hectares of land, forcing about 220,000 residents and tourists to evacuate. Currently, around 60,000 people have been allowed to return. As weather conditions improve, some local businesses are reopening, and a major highway will also be reopened after several days of closure.
The French meteorological department stated that weather conditions near Bordeaux are improving. Thunderstorms, increased humidity, and temperature drops are expected. However, some areas, including Gironde Province where Bordeaux is located, still have the highest level of wildfire risk warnings in place. The area burned by wildfires in France this year has already surpassed the level seen in any other year since 2006.
In comparison, the situation with fires in Greece is more severe. A fire in central Crete resulted in the death of three firefighters, and many residents and tourists were forced to evacuate, some of whom fled by boat. Peter Wood, a tourist from the UK, recalled that "the flames could be seen on the mountains," and both police and firefighters repeatedly urged people to evacuate immediately.
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that the coming days will be "very difficult." Due to strong winds that fueled the flames, some popular tourist areas on Crete have been affected, and hundreds of residents and tourists have been sheltered in temporary shelters.
Meanwhile, severe wildfires also occurred in Suffolk County in eastern England. The local fire department described this as one of the "most challenging incidents" in the county's history. Approximately 200 motorhomes had to be evacuated.
This year, the losses caused by wildfires in the European Union have surpassed those in the same period of 2025, which was considered a record year for wildfires. Analysis suggests that the relatively wet weather during this winter contributed to the growth of forests and shrubs. Subsequently, consecutive heatwaves turned these vegetation into flammable materials, increasing the risk of fires.
Europe is also one of the continents with the fastest rate of global warming. According to Reuters’ climate monitoring data, the average maximum temperature in Europe on July 30 is expected to reach 25.3 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees Celsius higher than the historical average from 1961 to 1990. The impact of extreme heat temperatures is not limited to wildfires. German public health agencies reported that approximately 9,800 people in Germany have died due to heat-related causes this year.
