As the scorching sun beats down on much of Europe, wildfires are raging across multiple countries, forcing residents to flee their homes and sparking evacuation orders weeks earlier than usual.
Turkey’s Izmir province is among the hardest hit, with over 50,000 residents forced to flee as wildfires raged into a second day, fanned by powerful winds. The country’s AFAD emergency authority reported that over 42,000 people were evacuated from Izmir alone, with additional evacuations in four other regions.
According to Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, “Large parts of Western Europe are experiencing extreme heat and heatwave conditions that are normally observed in July or August, rather than June.” In many areas, temperatures were 5–10°C above normal for this time of year, she said.
Wildfires in France
Wildfires also broke out in France’s southwestern Aude department on Sunday, where temperatures climbed above 40°C (104°F). Around 400 hectares of land burned, prompting the evacuation of a campsite and a historic abbey. Although the fires are now under control, authorities say they are not yet extinguished.
Meteo France placed 84 out of 101 departments under an orange heatwave alert through midweek.
Heatwave in Europe
In recent years, Turkey’s coastal regions have been repeatedly hit by wildfires, as hotter and drier summers linked to human-induced climate change create more combustible conditions. The country’s forestry minister, Ibrahim Yumakli, confirmed that strong winds were worsening the current fires.
Elsewhere in Europe, the heatwave has brought daily life to a standstill in some cities. Tourists and locals from Rome to Seville to Wimbledon were left sweltering in high temperatures. “It’s about 20 degrees warmer than I’m used to and I’m sunburnt all over,” said Scott Henderson, a visitor from Scotland waiting in line for the tennis tournament in London.
Heatwave in Spain
Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, said the country was on track for its hottest June on record, with temperatures expected to remain intense through Thursday. In Seville, where a United Nations climate conference was being held, the mercury hit 42°C. “It’s awful,” said municipal worker Bernabe Rufo. “We need to be looking for shade constantly.”
The top temperature in Spain reached 43.7°C in El Granado.
Heatwave in Italy and Germany
Italy issued red alerts in 16 cities, including Rome and Milan. In the northern region of Lombardy, home to Italy’s industrial belt, authorities are planning to ban outdoor work during peak heat hours following union pressure.
Germany also issued heat warnings for parts of its western and southwestern regions, where temperatures reached up to 34°C. Officials urged citizens to reduce water usage as demand surged. The heat has already impacted shipping, with falling Rhine River levels raising freight costs.
Heatwave’s Deadly Toll
The extreme heat is not only a threat to infrastructure and commerce—it’s deadly. According to Swiss Re, global heat-related deaths already outnumber those caused by floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes combined, killing up to 480,000 people each year.
Climate scientists continue to warn that rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather are being driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Last year was the hottest on record worldwide.
Global Implications
| Country | Temperature | Heat-Related Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 43.7°C | Up to 20 heat-related deaths per day |
| France | 40°C | Up to 10 heat-related deaths per day |
| Italy | 40°C | Up to 5 heat-related deaths per day |
| Germany | 34°C | Up to 5 heat-related deaths per day |
“It’s about time we take action to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources,” said Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. “The climate crisis is real, and it’s up to us to address it.”
“We need to be looking for shade constantly,” said Bernabe Rufo, a municipal worker in Seville. “It’s awful, and we need to do something about it.”
“The heat is not only a threat to infrastructure and commerce—it’s deadly,” said Scott Henderson, a visitor from Scotland. “We need to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources.”
“Climate change is real, and it’s up to us to address it,” said Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. “We need to take action to reduce our carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy sources.”
Conclusion
The scorching temperatures and wildfires across Europe serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change.
