Europe Heatwave Sparks Deadly Wildfires Spain, Italy, Balkans

Southern Europe is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40ºC, triggering devastating wildfires across Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and the Balkans. In Spain, wildfires near Madrid and Tarifa have forced thousands to evacuate, with one man dying from burns sustained while battling the blaze in Tres Cantos and a police officer injured during evacuations. The fires have threatened residential areas and sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage location Las Médulas. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged extreme caution as firefighters work to control the widespread blazes, which are exacerbated by global warming causing hotter, drier summers. Italy has issued maximum red alert heat warnings for multiple cities ahead of the Ferragosto holiday, advising residents and tourists to avoid sun exposure and stay hydrated. The ongoing heatwave poses significant health risks and is contributing to an unprecedented surge in wildfires across the Mediterranean region.