The Iberian Peninsula is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years, with deadly blazes killing several people, forcing evacuations, and scorching vast tracts of land.

Portugal and Spain have mobilized thousands of firefighters and military personnel, while France, Greece, and Albania also struggle with out-of-control fires amid extreme heat and drought.

Portugal Mourns First Victim, Deploys 4,000 Firefighters

Portugal recorded its first wildfire fatality of the year on Friday, when former Guarda mayor Carlos Dâmaso was killed while trying to battle flames in his community. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa cut short his summer holiday to chair an emergency meeting with the National Authority for Civil Protection, as more than 4,000 firefighters, helicopters, and water-dropping planes battled multiple blazes in the central and northern regions.

Portugal, still haunted by the 2017 wildfires that killed over 100 people, has appealed for European Union support. Authorities confirmed that four Canadair firefighting aircraft will remain in the country until at least August 18. So far in 2025, an estimated 65,000 hectares have burned nationwide, with new outbreaks reported overnight in the Algarve region, forcing fresh evacuations.

Spain Counts Three Dead as Heatwave Intensifies

In Spain, three people have died in this year’s wildfires, including two volunteer firefighters in Castile and León. The country has endured nearly two weeks of suffocating heat, with temperatures reaching 38°C in northern Cantabria, a region normally spared from such extremes.

The national weather service Aemet has extended “very high to extreme” fire risk alerts through August 19, warning that strong winds could further spread flames. Since January, wildfires have destroyed 157,500 hectares across Spain, making 2025 one of the most destructive fire years on record—though still below the devastating 306,000 hectares lost in 2022.

Rural communities in Galicia and Extremadura report widespread destruction of farms, homes, and vehicles. Local mayors are urging Madrid to fund brush-clearing projects to create firebreaks, describing feelings of “helplessness” as villages come under threat. On Saturday, the government deployed 500 military personnel to bolster firefighting operations.

France, Greece, and Albania Also Hit Hard

The crisis extends beyond the Iberian Peninsula. In France, the southern department of Aude remains on red alert following a blaze that erupted on August 5, killing one person and injuring several others. Authorities warn that weekend temperatures could soar to 40°C, with low humidity further complicating containment.

In Greece, recent rainfall and calmer winds have provided relief to fire-hit Attica, but blazes on the island of Chios remain active, with 10,000 hectares burned since early August.

Meanwhile, Albania has seen catastrophic losses: thousands of livestock killed and at least 40 homes destroyed in three days of fires. On Saturday, officials confirmed the arrival of international aid, including firefighting teams from Italy and Romania, to support exhausted local crews.

Climate Change Worsens Fire Risk

The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) has warned that 2025 could surpass previous wildfire records across southern Europe if current trends persist. Experts point to climate change, prolonged heatwaves, drought, and poor land management as the main drivers of recurring fire disasters.

Regional leaders are calling for stronger EU coordination, including more funding for prevention, firebreaks, and reforestation.

Communities on Edge

Authorities are urging residents to follow evacuation orders and avoid activities that could spark new blazes, such as outdoor burning or the use of machinery near dry fields. With forecasts predicting no immediate respite from extreme heat, southern Europe remains on high alert, bracing for further destruction in what is shaping up to be a devastating wildfire season. (ILKHA)