Wildfires Kill 6, Evacuate 31,000 in Spain, Portugal

Europe is currently facing severe wildfires, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where at least six people have died and tens of thousands have been evacuated amid an intense heat wave. The fires, concentrated mainly in the northwest regions of Spain and parts of Portugal, have burned hundreds of thousands of acres and prompted the deployment of additional troops to assist firefighting efforts. The ongoing heat wave has pushed temperatures to record highs, exacerbating the fires and drought conditions across southern and central Europe. This wildfire season is noted as the most destructive in nearly 20 years in Europe, impacting air quality and forcing evacuations similar to severe wildfire seasons in North America. European leaders emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive climate strategies to address the accelerating impact of climate change. Experts highlight that Europe is warming faster than the global average, intensifying these extreme weather events.