Wildfires, driven by intense heatwaves, strong winds, and in some cases suspected arson, raged across southern Europe on Wednesday, torching homes, farmland, and factories while forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.

In Greece, flames swept through olive groves and forests near Patras, disrupting rail traffic and engulfing a cement factory in thick smoke.

Authorities ordered mass evacuations, including residents from two islands popular with tourists — Chios and Cephalonia.

In Spain, a volunteer firefighter died from severe burns while battling a blaze in the Castile and Leon region, bringing the country’s wildfire death toll this year to six. The extreme heatwave, now in its tenth day, has kept much of Spain at the highest fire risk level. 

Other blazes were sparked by lightning strikes, such as in Los Romeros, Andalusia, and in Portugal’s Trancoso area, where a previously contained fire reignited.

Albania is also facing a 'critical week,' with 24 active wildfires threatening villages and forcing people to evacuate with their livestock. Across the region, experts warn that insufficient prevention measures are putting firefighters’ lives in danger and urge investments in forest management to avoid catastrophic losses.

Southern Europe’s extreme weather has also disrupted daily life — Pope Leo moved his weekly audience indoors to avoid dangerous heat, while Italy issued red alerts for 16 cities, with Florence expecting temperatures up to 39°C (102°F).

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Wildfires SouthernEurope Heatwaves Greece Spain Portugal Albania ClimateCrisis