Europe is facing a severe wildfire crisis as a heatwave intensifies, forcing thousands of evacuations and blanketing regions in smoke. Southern France is battling 'catastrophic' wildfires that have ravaged more than 19,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of land, an area more than twice the size of Manhattan, across Portugal, Spain, France, and Greece. In the Pyrenees-Orientales department of southwestern France, near Perpignan, 700 firefighters, supported by aerial resources, are struggling to contain a massive blaze that has more than tripled in size since Sunday. Over 10,000 residents have been evacuated from the area. The fire has come perilously close to homes, with one resident describing its rapid spread as 'staggering.'
This wave of fires follows a June heatwave that scientists from the World Weather Attribution group have stated would have been 'virtually impossible' without climate change. French fire service Colonel Eric Belgioino warned that the wildfire season has started a month early and appealed for public caution, stating, 'Climate change is here, we are living the consequences and it is only the start of July.' The annual summer wildfire season typically begins in August.
The third stage of the Tour de France cycling race, which traverses the Pyrenees from Spain into France, will proceed without spectators on the French side due to the fires. Only essential race personnel and vehicles will be permitted along the route and at the finish line.
In Greece, wildfires have led to 'poisonous clouds' and forced evacuations in the north of the country, near Thessaloniki. Flames ignited by a forest fire engulfed two factories over the weekend, prompting the evacuation of surrounding areas and advisories for residents to keep windows closed. An evacuation alert was issued for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 individuals with special needs. A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of negligently starting a fire with his vehicle. Fire department spokesperson Brig. Ioannis Artopoios noted that approximately 85% of wildfires in Greece are caused by negligence, including agricultural activities, discarded cigarettes, and barbecues, suggesting many are preventable.
Spain's Costa Brava region is also contending with a significant fire that has consumed over 2,200 hectares in two days. Firefighting efforts are being hampered by rising temperatures and numerous 'smoking hotspots' within the fire's perimeter. Local media reports indicate that nearly 50,000 residents were ordered to stay indoors or evacuated. A man was detained on suspicion of accidentally starting the blaze while using an angle grinder for roadside work.
In Portugal, emergency services reported controlling 80% of a wildfire that has devastated roughly 13,000 hectares of forest and scrubland in the country's north. Major fires have also been reported on the Croatian island of Hvar and in Tale, Albania.
Forecasters predict the current heatwave will move north and could persist until the following weekend, with temperatures potentially reaching 40C (104F) in some areas still recovering from previous extreme heat.