ATHENS, Aug. 2, 2026: Wind-driven wildfires continued to rage across parts of southern Europe on Saturday, forcing large-scale evacuations in Greece, France and Spain as prolonged heatwaves and severe drought intensified one of the continent’s worst wildfire seasons in recent years.
According to Reuters, hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and heavy machinery, are battling multiple blazes amid scorching temperatures and strong winds that have hampered containment efforts.
In Greece, major wildfires broke out in several regions, including areas close to the capital, Athens. More than 300 firefighters, backed by 92 fire engines, heavy equipment and aerial firefighting aircraft, were deployed to combat a large blaze in the Boeotia region.
Authorities evacuated more than 200 residents by sea from the town of Agios Vasilios, about 80 kilometers northwest of Athens. The Greek Coast Guard also rescued 12 people from Porto Germeno Beach as flames advanced toward coastal areas.
Greek authorities have issued the highest wildfire risk alerts for the Attica and Evia regions, while firefighting operations continued overnight in Argolida and Arta.
In France, a wildfire that had been brought under control in the southeastern Var region three days earlier reignited, burning more than 1,000 hectares within six hours. Nearly 2,500 residents were evacuated overnight as powerful winds accelerated the spread of the flames.
Spain also remains on high alert, with firefighters tackling several active wildfires. A new blaze erupted in León Province, while emergency crews continued efforts to contain fires elsewhere. Authorities allowed evacuated residents to return home in parts of Zamora and Castellón after conditions improved, although police are investigating suspected arson in one of the Castellón wildfires.
The wildfire emergency comes as Europe grapples with an increasingly severe heatwave that has taken a heavy human and economic toll.
Austria reported 395 heat-related deaths in June alone, while authorities said approximately 2,877 deaths in the United Kingdom this year have been linked to extreme temperatures. France recorded 5,764 heat-related deaths between mid-June and early July, and Germany has reported nearly 9,800 deaths associated with high temperatures so far this year.
The prolonged drought has also severely affected Europe’s energy infrastructure. Record-low water levels on the Danube River have reduced nuclear power generation in Hungary and hydropower production in Serbia, while disrupting commercial shipping along one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
In Romania, declining river levels have forced the shutdown of one nuclear reactor, with a second reactor also at risk of being taken offline. Officials warned that the disruption could affect nearly 20 percent of the country’s electricity supply.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heatwaves and wildfires across Europe, raising concerns over the continent’s resilience to worsening climate-related disasters.
Source: Reuters