Powerful wildfires have spread across southern France, Spain, and Portugal, burning tens of thousands of hectares of land and hampering firefighting efforts amid extreme heat, prolonged drought, and strong winds.
The situation has become particularly severe following the intense heatwaves that have affected Southern Europe in recent weeks.
In southern France, a major wildfire in the Pyrénées-Orientales region has scorched around 13,500 hectares since Saturday evening. The blaze erupted in a mountainous area near Mount Canigou, making access difficult for emergency crews. Around 700 firefighters have been deployed to the scene, supported by firefighting aircraft and helicopters.
French authorities say conditions remain extremely challenging due to strong northwesterly winds and temperatures expected to reach as high as 40°C (104°F) in some areas. Residents have been evacuated overnight, with several families relocated to temporary shelters after leaving their homes.
In Spain, a wildfire near the Costa Brava tourist region has burned approximately 22,000 hectares. Although the fire has been brought under control, authorities warn that high temperatures and multiple hotspots continue to pose significant challenges. Movement restrictions have been lifted in several communities near Girona, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Meanwhile, Portugal is also battling several wildfires as the country faces an unusually early and severe wildfire season.
According to French authorities, most of the fires during this period are linked to human activity, while their rapid spread has been fueled by drought conditions and extreme temperatures. France’s Interior Minister has expressed concern that this year’s wildfire season has begun much earlier than usual.
