Wildfires Sweep Greece and Spain as Hundreds Flee Homes
Europe is gripped by widespread wildfires exacerbated by persistent heatwaves and droughts. Greece, Spain, Italy, France, and Albania are all battling significant blazes, leading to evacuations, casualties, and extensive environmental damage. Emergency services are working tirelessly amidst challenging conditions.
Firefighters are battling major wildfires across parts of Greece and Spain as extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds continue to raise fire risks across southern Europe.
In Greece, firefighters brought a wildfire near Kouvaras, about 60 kilometres southeast of Athens, largely under control after it broke out on Monday and spread rapidly under strong winds.
Nearly 200 firefighters were deployed to contain the blaze, supported by dozens of vehicles and aircraft. The fire added to an already difficult summer for Greece, where several deadly wildfires have stretched emergency services.
Despite progress in Kouvaras, the danger has not passed. Large parts of central and southern Greece, including the wider Athens region and several Aegean islands, remain at elevated risk of new fires as hot and dry conditions persist.
New fires have also been reported elsewhere in the country, including parts of the Peloponnese and Kavala, even as crews managed to contain much of the wildfire near Athens.
Greece has already suffered fatalities during this year's fire season, including firefighters and aviation personnel involved in efforts to contain the blazes.
Earlier this month, a major wildfire west of Athens swept through areas around Porto Germeno, destroying homes and damaging large stretches of vegetation.
Spain is facing a similar battle.
More than 600 firefighters backed by 26 water-dropping aircraft have been deployed against major wildfires in the country's south, with difficult terrain and changing winds complicating efforts to bring the flames under control.
One of the most serious fires is burning in Huelva province in Andalusia, where around 800 people have been evacuated as authorities work to protect communities threatened by the expanding blaze.
Footage from the affected areas has shown huge columns of smoke rising over communities as helicopters repeatedly drop water on burning vegetation.
The Huelva wildfire has threatened homes and forced mass evacuations after spreading across thousands of hectares.
Spain's wildfire danger is being intensified by severe heat and dry conditions. Authorities are also preparing for temperatures approaching 40°C in some areas as another period of extreme heat affects the country.
The fires come during an especially destructive year for Spain. Around 200,000 hectares have already burned in 2026, according to figures cited by Reuters, roughly six times the area recorded at the same point last year.
Across southern Europe, prolonged heat, dry vegetation and strong winds are creating conditions in which fires can spread rapidly, leaving emergency services with little room for error.
For Greece and Spain, the immediate priority remains containing the active fires and allowing evacuated residents to return safely. But with extreme temperatures continuing across parts of the continent, authorities are warning that the wildfire threat is far from over.