Europe combats wildfires as deadly heat waves intensify across continent

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Southern Europe is dealing with large wildfires during one of the continent's most severe summers in recent years, fueled by extreme heat waves.

Firefighters in southern France are battling a massive fire that has spread across an area larger than Paris, raising concerns that hot, dry winds and a heat wave will make firefighters' jobs even more dangerous.

According to authorities, the fire consumed a vast area of France's southern Aude region, larger than the country's capital.

At least one person was killed, and several were injured, as hundreds of firefighters were dispatched over the weekend to keep the fire from spreading further.

Tourist trails on Mount Vesuvius were closed on Sunday as firefighters battled a blaze on the volcano's slopes, while temperatures of 40°C (104°F) are expected to hit Florence on Wednesday.

Spain has been grappling with large wildfires, with flames devouring tens of thousands of hectares and forcing evacuations from rural villages to UNESCO World Heritage sites, local media reported on Monday.

Spanish broadcaster La Sexta reported that 39,155 hectares were burned nationwide between Jan. 1 and Aug. 3, 9% more than the same period last year but 37% less than the 10-year average of 62,235 hectares.

Of the 4,735 recorded fires this year, 3,274 were small "conatos" (less than one hectare), and 14 were large wildfires (greater than 500 hectares), which exceeds the decade average.

More than 2,000 firefighters are participating in the battle against 10 active fires in Portugal, which has been on alert since August 3.

According to civil protection officials, it is unusual for so many fires to break out simultaneously in "critical areas."

Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man suspected of starting four fires over the weekend was taken into custody.

Since the beginning of 2025, wildfires in Portugal have burned 42,000 hectares of land, an area roughly five times the size of the capital, Lisbon

The Balkan region is also on alert due to ongoing heat waves and wildfires, with firefighters in Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia battling a number of active fires.

More than 350,000 hectares have been burned across Europe since the beginning of the year, with at least 1,478 fires detected thus far, according to the European Forest Fires Information System.

*Beyza Binnur Donmez contributed to this report from Geneva