Wildfires rage across Europe amid record heatwaves and drought

Wildfires are raging across Europe, fueled by successive heatwaves and a severe lack of rainfall. Villages in France and Spain have been devastated, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes and holiday accommodations.

In Greece, fires fanned by strong winds have swept through regions near Athens. Firefighting operations and evacuations are ongoing as conditions deteriorate. Helicopters are dropping water and fire-retardant materials in an attempt to control the blazes. Authorities have warned of an extreme risk of wildfires in the Boeotia, Attica, and Euboea regions.

France is also battling a reignited fire in the Var department, which spread rapidly. Local farmers have assisted firefighting efforts by filling water trucks and helicopters. Spain continues to fight multiple active fire fronts, with conditions worsening in León and a significant fire in Zamora showing improvement, allowing some evacuated towns to reopen.

In Austria, a record 395 heat-related deaths were reported in June, with many meteorological stations recording temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius. The United Kingdom also reported a high number of heat-related deaths.