From Spain to Türkiye: Deadly heatwave sparks widespread fires and chaos

Nearly 6,000 people have been forced to leave their homes across northern, central and southern Spain as wildfires rage amid an intense heatwave, with forecasters warning that temperatures could reach 44°C in some parts of the country.

The extreme heat gripping much of Europe has created what scientists describe as a “Molotov cocktail” of conditions driving massive wildfires, Caliber.Az reports, referring to foreign media sources.

One man died after suffering burns to 98% of his body when caught in a blaze on the night of August 11 in Tres Cantos, near Madrid. He succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

The fire—described by the regional environment minister as having “explosive characteristics because of a dry storm that has brought winds of more than 70km/h”—was being brought under control by the morning of August 12. Around 180 people were evacuated from the area and spent the night in local sports centres.

In the north-western region of Castilla y León, more than 3,700 residents from 16 municipalities were evacuated, while ten fires were still burning on August 12. Flames also damaged the Unesco world heritage-listed Roman-era mining site at Las Médulas.

In the southern town of Tarifa, firefighters and water-dropping planes continued to battle a blaze that broke out on Monday, prompting the evacuation of 2,000 people.

Spain’s interior ministry has declared a “pre-emergency phase” to help coordinate firefighting efforts and emergency resources.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered condolences to the family of the man killed in the Tres Cantos fire and praised emergency services for their “tireless efforts.” In a message on X on Tuesday, he urged the public to take the threat seriously: “We’re at extreme risk of forest fires. Let’s be very careful.”

The fires have spread beyond Spain. In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters are battling three large blazes in the country’s centre and north. Morocco is sending two aircraft to assist after two Portuguese firefighting planes broke down.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy is facing scorching temperatures, with Florence expected to reach 40°C later this week. A four-year-old boy died of heatstroke after being found unconscious in the family’s car in Sardinia; he was airlifted to a hospital in Rome but died on August 11 from irreversible brain damage. The Italian authorities have issued red alert warnings for seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence.

In the Balkans, dozens of people were evacuated as wildfires spread in Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. Albania’s defence ministry reported that most of the nearly 40 fires that erupted in the past 24 hours had been brought under control, though more than a dozen were still active. Since July, almost 34,000 hectares have been destroyed, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. Police have arrested more than 20 people suspected of deliberately starting fires.

In Montenegro, where temperatures reached 40°C, firefighters prevented flames from reaching dozens of homes just outside the capital on Monday. In Croatia, about 150 firefighters worked overnight to protect homes from a blaze near the port city of Split.

In Türkiye’s northwestern province of Çanakkale, more than 2,000 people were evacuated and 77 treated for smoke inhalation after fires broke out near the tourist village of Guzelyalı. Footage on Turkish media showed homes and cars engulfed in flames. More than 760 firefighters, supported by 10 planes, nine helicopters and over 200 vehicles, were deployed to combat the blaze. The country recently experienced its hottest July since records began 55 years ago.

Southern France has also seen record-breaking temperatures, with new highs registered at at least four weather stations. Bordeaux reached 41.6°C, while all-time records were broken in Bergerac, Cognac and Saint-Girons, according to Météo France.

This is France’s second heatwave of the summer, beginning on August 8 and expected to last until August 19 or 20. 

By Tamilla Hasanova