Europe is in the grip of a severe heatwave, with temperatures in Spain approaching the country’s all-time record and devastating wildfires spreading across the continent. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has warned of “extraordinary danger” as it forecasts temperatures of up to 44C on Thursday, not far off the 47.6C record heat that hit the country five years ago. Popular Spanish tourist spots, including the areas around Malaga, Valencia, and Alicante, could see temperatures reach as high as 42C.

Wildfires continued to sweep across swathes of Italy, France, and Spain on Thursday, forcing thousands to flee from blazes fanned by scorching temperatures and strong winds. In southwestern France, just under 12,000 people, most of them tourists, were evacuated on Thursday as a wildfire ravaged a forest in Le Porge. The fire started midday on Wednesday, and hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to the region.

The blaze in Le Porge had ripped through 2,000 hectares – an area about three times the size of Gibraltar – since Wednesday, officials said. In total, almost 12,000 people – including tourists as well as hundreds of residents from villages surrounding the forest – had been forced to leave the area overnight, the authorities said.

France has been battered by three heatwaves since May as part of increasingly common extreme weather episodes linked to climate change, causing excess deaths, drying up rivers, and fueling wildfires. Roaring flames in the UNESCO-listed Fontainebleau forest outside Paris last week also devastated 2,000 hectares, in a rare such fire so far north.

In Spain, the vast majority of the country is at ‘extreme’ risk of wildfire, according to Spanish forecaster AEMET. On Thursday, the warnings cover large parts of the country's eastern half, with the rest of the country at ‘very high’ or ‘moderate’ risk. The wildfire in the Guadalajara region has burned 32,000 hectares of land since last Thursday.

The residents of a small village near the major Guadalajara wildfire have recalled the moment they were evacuated as a fire tore through the area. “You see the whole mountain above burning and you hear it right above you. The fire was so fierce it jumped [across] the valley,” the mayor of the Naharros hamlet, Ricardo Antón, told El Pais.

In Italy, wildfires are also raging, with dramatic footage shared on social media showing huge blazes in popular destinations like Sicily and Sardinia. The heatwave has led to a spike in deaths across Europe, with 14,000 more people dying than would normally have been expected at this time of year, according to the EuroMOMO mortality monitoring hub.

The combination of extreme heat and strong winds has created an exceptionally high risk of fires starting and spreading rapidly across Europe. In Cyprus, fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos warned on Thursday that the country is facing what could be the most dangerous day of this year’s wildfire season.

In France, the wildfire near Bordeaux has led to the evacuation of around 12,000 people, including tourists from camping sites and holiday accommodations. The fire started on Wednesday and has since spread rapidly, with 500 firefighters, eight planes, and 150 ground rescue resources deployed to control the blaze.

The fire in Le Porge appears to have been started by a brush-clearing machine, according to the town's mayor, Martial Zaninetti. Police are investigating the possibility of an accident that started the blaze.

In Spain, the wildfire in the Guadalajara region has been one of the largest in the country's recent history, with 32,000 hectares burned since last Thursday. The fire has led to the evacuation of several communities and has caused significant damage to the environment.

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Articles

Firefighters battle Slievenamon wildfire on fourth day of blaze The Co Tipperary fire extended into a Coillte forest on Tuesday and spread significantly on Wednesday night

irish times · about 3 hours ago

🔥 Wildfires continued to sweep across swathes of Italy, France and Spain on Thursday, forcing thousands to flee from blazes fanned by scorching temperatures and strong winds. ➡️ u.afp.com/SrWK

bluesky_AFP English · about 3 hours ago

🇯🇵 More than 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues in a single day in Tokyo -- the highest number since records began 16 years ago, emergency services said Thursday. ➡️ u.afp.com/SrW9

bluesky_AFP English · about 3 hours ago

Firefighters battled wildfires in southeastern and southwestern France as authorities warned the risk of new blazes remained very high across large parts of the country following weeks of intense heat.

bluesky_Reuters · about 3 hours ago

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mit tech review · about 3 hours ago

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in-cyprus · about 3 hours ago

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cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

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digi24 · about 3 hours ago

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liberation · about 3 hours ago

France evacuates thousands of tourists as fire rages in pine forest

news.yahoo.com · about 3 hours ago

Thousands of tourists forced to evacuate as fire rages in southwest France Just under 12,000 people, most of them tourists, were evacuated on Thursday in southwest France as a wildfire ravaged a forest in Le Porge. The fire started midday on Wednesday, and hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to the region. France has experienced three heatwaves since May, fuelling wildfires.

france24 · about 3 hours ago

Thousands evacuated as deadly wildfires continue to rage across Europe Fires are raging across several tourist destinations in Europe

independent · about 3 hours ago

Spain heatwave latest: Wildfires and extreme weather warnings in tourist spots as temperatures could hit 44C Much of southern Europe has been in the grip of an intense heatwave, with wildfires tearing through the region including France and Italy

independent · about 3 hours ago

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abcnews · about 3 hours ago

Even camels succumb when extreme heat hits Africa Camels are increasingly affected by the high temperatures brought by climate change in Africa. Recent research from Ethiopia indicates that heat stress results in more diseases, poorer reproduction, and higher mortality in camels. North Africa and the Horn of Africa house about 80 percent of the worlds dromedary population. In Somalia, a study shows that […]

cphpost · about 3 hours ago

Firefighters battle one of Spains biggest-ever wildfires during heat wave across the Mediterranean

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

Europe burns as freak firenado scorches French holiday hotspot, tourists flee campsites and Spain battles one of its biggest-ever wildfires in 47C heatwave

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

South Africa pins tourism hopes on new Air Europa route to Spain

gdeltproject.org · about 3 hours ago

Readers question: Is it OK to go running when theres hot weather in Estonia? While the hottest days have come and gone in Estonia this year, without the heatwave conditions seen elsewhere in Europe, summer is still not done.

news.err · about 3 hours ago

Thousands evacuated in France fires A third firefighter has died in Europe while tackling ongoing wildfires across the continent.

bbc · about 3 hours ago

Caporalato, the system that enslaves thousands of migrants in Italys fields: If you dont do what they ask, they threaten to set you on fire The killing of four day laborers in Calabria puts the spotlight on a form of exploitation that, according to social organizations, affects one in four field workers

elpais · about 3 hours ago

Should Travelers Give Up on Summer in Western Europe Because of the Heat? A favorite vacation option may be at risk because of rising temperatures. Even those sticking with their summer plans agree: More air conditioning would help.

new york times · about 3 hours ago

High fluctuation in EU air transport prices The average price of air transport services, including plane tickets, in the EU has fluctuated significantly since January 2025. This volatility reflects travel demand, seasonality and recent geopolitical events. Between January 2025 and June 2026, the highest increase in air transport services ...

eurostat · about 3 hours ago

A collective effort to prevent wildfires The high temperatures have forced a state of emergency, given the risk of wildfires. Officials note there is heightened readiness and coordination, within the limits of whats possible. Following last years devastating fire in the Limassol district, the relevant services appear to be on heightened alert this year, and watching closely. Of course, preventive measures […]

in-cyprus · about 3 hours ago

Red alert for forest fire risk to remain in effect Friday A red alert for forest fire risk will remain active on Friday, the forestry department said on Thursday. The status has been maintained since Tuesday, with high summer temperatures being felt across the island. The department urged people to exercise extreme caution during outdoor excursions and to avoid doing anything which could potentially cause a […]

cyprus mail · about 3 hours ago

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sarajevo times · about 3 hours ago

Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 5,346, with thousands injured The death toll from last months twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 5,346, with 16,740 injured, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez has announced. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes destroyed 190 buildings and displaced thousands.

yenisafak · about 3 hours ago

France records 12,500 wildfires as probe opens into firefighters deaths France has recorded 12,500 wildfires since the start of the year, with 44,000 hectares burned. An investigation has been opened into the deaths of two firefighters on suspicion of deliberate arson, as 128 people have been arrested in connection with fire-related incidents.

yenisafak · about 3 hours ago

Wildfire on Tipperary mountain spread significantly through forestry overnight The fire on Slievenamon spread to a Coillte forest on Wednesday and continues to burn through forestry on the mountain.

thejournal · about 3 hours ago

Thousands forced to evacuate as wildfires sweep across southern France Thousands of people are being evacuated from areas of southern France as firefighters battle huge wildfires.

aljazeera · about 3 hours ago