Europe Faces Widespread Wildfire Emergency
A wave of extreme heat is driving a series of major wildfires across Europe, with emergency crews battling dangerous blazes in the United Kingdom, Greece, France, Croatia and Germany. The fires have damaged homes, forced large-scale evacuations and placed firefighters and residents in serious danger.
In England’s West Midlands, a major wildfire near Stourbridge has caused extensive damage to properties. Emergency services treated 54 people, with 19 taken to hospital. Fire officials described the incident as one of the most significant emergencies the regional service has faced.
The UK has been experiencing exceptionally hot and dry weather. Temperatures reached 38.1°C in London on Thursday, making it the country’s hottest day of 2026 so far and worsening conditions for vegetation fires.
Croatia and Greece Hit by Fast-Moving Wildfires
Croatia’s Adriatic coast has also been badly affected. A rapidly spreading wildfire near the tourist town of Omiš injured 36 people and prompted the evacuation of around 1,000 residents and visitors. Strong winds and extremely dry conditions helped the flames move quickly through woodland and residential areas. Four aircraft and around 90 fire vehicles were deployed in the firefighting operation.
In Greece, firefighters have been working to contain a major blaze on the Halkidiki peninsula. Strong winds pushed flames towards popular coastal resorts, forcing hundreds of tourists to evacuate. In some areas, leaving by road became too dangerous, leading authorities to use boats and other vessels to move people away from the fire zone.
The Greek fire emergency comes after dozens of fires were reported across the country within a 24-hour period, putting additional pressure on firefighting resources during the peak summer tourist season.
France and Germany Battle Fires as Heat Persists
France is facing its own serious wildfire threat after an extended period of extreme temperatures and drought. A new fire in the Landes region forced more than 500 people to leave their homes as hundreds of firefighters worked to contain the flames.
The country has experienced exceptionally dry conditions this year, with temperatures approaching 41°C in some areas. Authorities remain concerned that further hot and dry weather could trigger additional fires and make existing outbreaks harder to control.
Germany has also faced wildfire emergencies. Around 1,800 residents were evacuated overnight in the Hürtgenwald area as firefighters tackled a major blaze. In parts of the country, firefighting operations have been complicated by the presence of unexploded Second World War ammunition.
The widespread fires have renewed concerns about Europe’s preparedness for increasingly severe heatwaves, droughts and wildfire seasons. With millions of people experiencing temperatures above 35°C, emergency services across the continent are facing growing pressure as extreme weather continues to threaten communities and tourist destinations.
