Europe Ablaze: Heatwave and Wildfires as of 10 July 2025

Since late June, Europe has been grappling with an unprecedented heatwave marked by soaring temperatures and widespread wildfires.

Extreme Heat and Record Temperatures

In northern Spain, temperatures have reached 46 °C, with Andalusian cities such as Seville and Cordoba recording around 42–46 °C. France, Italy, and Germany have issued “red” weather alerts, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in many regions. In the Rhine–Moselle valleys, highs have hit 43–46 °C. The UK saw its hottest June on record, with temperatures above 30 °C. This heatwave is fueled by a combination of a North African heat dome and unusually warm Mediterranean waters.

Health Impact

At least eight people have died so far: four in Spain, two in France, and two in Italy. Around 300 people have been hospitalized with heatstroke or dehydration. In Catalonia, two people died in a forest fire and a child succumbed to heat exhaustion. In Sardinia, two people died on beaches, with similar fatalities reported in France.

Wildfires Across Europe

Spain and France

In Catalonia, fires have destroyed farms and homes, killing two men. In the Corbières region, residents were evacuated and the A61 motorway was closed, with 600 firefighters deployed.

Germany

Eastern regions, especially Saxony and Thuringia, are battling major forest fires. Villages have been evacuated, firefighters injured, and helicopters and thermal imaging equipment are in use. One fire in Thuringia is the worst since 1993.

Greece

On Crete, more than 5,000 people — residents and tourists — have been evacuated near Ierapetra. On the island of Evia, villages like Tsakeoi and Limnionas have been cleared, with 160 firefighters and five aircraft fighting the flames.

Turkey and the Mediterranean

Around Izmir, more than 50,000 people have been evacuated, with about 200 homes destroyed. An 81-year-old man died in Cesme. Turkish emergency services also sent firefighting planes to Latakia in Syria, where fires threatened residential areas.

Responses and Infrastructure Impact

Turkey has passed a climate law targeting carbon neutrality by 2053. In Switzerland, the Beznau 1 reactor was shut down due to overheated river water. Europe’s power grid is under heavy strain, with electricity demand up 14%. Prices have spiked, though solar generation has hit record highs. Cities like Rome, Bologna, and Paris are introducing “green zones” and expanding urban tree cover to counter the heat island effect.

What’s Next?

Meteorologists expect the heat to ease after 8 July, but the wildfire risk remains high. Climate experts warn that such heatwaves will become increasingly common. The EU is debating adaptation measures: strengthening energy infrastructure, redesigning green spaces, and improving emergency response and warning systems.

Looking to explore Europe in a safer season? Check out our Europe tours and trips to plan your next journey.

Europe is facing unprecedented heat with temperatures above 40 °C, causing deaths, illness, and destruction. Wildfires are sweeping countries from Spain to Turkey. The reality of climate change is undeniable, demanding urgent, large-scale responses — from urban planning to international climate policy. This crisis is a stark warning: ignoring it puts the health, safety, and future of the entire continent at risk.

Author: Nataliia Sharov