Europe Wildfires remained a major threat on Wednesday as authorities in Spain and France warned that the risk of new blazes would stay extremely high despite some improvement in firefighting efforts.
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A major wildfire in Spain’s Guadalajara province eased, allowing some evacuated residents to return home. However, officials warned that dangerous conditions persist across large parts of the country.
Wildfires have already burned more land in Europe this year than the average recorded over the past two decades. Experts say repeated heatwaves and prolonged dry weather have created ideal conditions for fast-moving fires.
Meanwhile, French authorities urged people to avoid activities that could spark fires, including barbecues in heat-affected areas. Officials stressed that human activity causes most wildfires, whether accidental or deliberate.
In the Western Balkans, severe weather shifted from heatwaves to violent hailstorms. Several people were injured in North Macedonia and eastern Kosovo as storms damaged homes, roads and power infrastructure.
Scientists continue to warn that climate change is intensifying heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. It is also increasing the likelihood of sudden and destructive storms across Europe.
Spain battles largest wildfire
Spain’s largest wildfire of the year has scorched about 32,000 hectares in Guadalajara. The blaze forced evacuations in 34 municipalities and confinement orders in 14 others.
Authorities have now allowed residents of five villages to return. However, restrictions remain in several affected areas as firefighters continue containment efforts.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain has already recorded 22 major wildfires this year. He noted that more than 100,000 hectares have burned before the country’s peak wildfire season has even begun.
Spain’s weather agency, AEMET, warned that wildfire danger remains “very high” or “extreme” across most mainland regions and the Balearic Islands. Moreover, dry thunderstorms and Saharan dust could worsen conditions in the coming days.
Although temperatures may briefly ease, forecasters expect another surge of intense heat over the weekend.
France remains on high alert
In France, firefighters continued battling several major blazes after two firefighters lost their lives in the Gironde region earlier this week.
A wildfire near Bordeaux burned around 100 hectares and forced about 600 people to evacuate. Authorities also diverted traffic away from nearby coastal areas.
Gironde Prefect Sophie Brocas announced restrictions on forestry operations and other activities involving combustion engines to reduce the risk of new fires.
Officials said wildfire danger will remain very high across western, southwestern and southeastern France throughout the week.
Elsewhere, firefighters made progress against a blaze in the Var region after cooler weather and lighter winds helped slow its spread. Another wildfire continued burning in the Hautes-Alpes region.
Heat and storms affect Europe
Greece and Cyprus also introduced restrictions on outdoor work as temperatures climbed above 41 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, powerful storms swept across North Macedonia and Kosovo. Falling trees, hail and heavy rain damaged property, disrupted electricity supplies and injured several people.
Experts say Europe continues to face increasingly severe weather patterns as climate change drives more frequent heatwaves, droughts and extreme storms.
