Record-breaking temperatures heighten fire risks
Southern Europe is enduring intense heat alongside devastating wildfires. In Spain, one in four weather stations measured at least 40C over the weekend. Cádiz reached a peak of 45.8C, while several other regions crossed 42C. On Monday, Spain’s weather service Aemet cautioned that fire danger remained “very high or extreme” across much of the country, despite signs of the heatwave beginning to ease.
Vast destruction and rising death toll
According to Copernicus data, Spain has already lost 348,000 hectares to fires this year—exceeding the country’s previous record in 2022. Portugal has seen 216,000 hectares scorched. At least six people have died so far, including firefighters in both countries. Spain’s emergency services reported that more than 31,000 people have been evacuated from their homes over the past week.
Military mobilization and political conflict
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged an additional 500 soldiers to assist the 1,400 already on the ground. He also announced a national “climate pact,” urging leaders to put aside partisan battles in favor of science-based strategies. However, the conservative People’s party rejected the proposal, demanding stronger firefighting measures and accusing Sánchez of political opportunism during the crisis.
Continental emergency prompts EU support
Governments across southern Europe are struggling to contain the fires. Portugal requested four Canadair aircraft through the EU civil protection system. Overall, more than 530,000 hectares have burned across Europe in 2025, more than double the long-term average. Several states, from Spain to Bulgaria, have sought international firefighting assistance.
Persistent drought keeps regions vulnerable
Though temperatures have begun to decline in some areas, extreme dryness continues to fuel fire risks. In France, Météo France warned that parched vegetation in the south remains highly flammable. Officials said that smoke drifting from Iberian wildfires, combined with Saharan dust, limited temperature rises but worsened air quality.
Authorities highlight unprecedented challenges
Portugal extended its wildfire alert through Tuesday, as Interior Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral faced sharp criticism for her handling of the crisis. Meanwhile, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stressed that the blazes cannot be fully controlled until the heatwave ends. She added that Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit had never confronted fire conditions of this scale in its 20-year history.
