Southern Europe is ablaze as record-breaking wildfires sweep across four countries, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee their homes. In just a few days, the fires have ravaged an astonishing 20,000 hectares (approximately 49,500 acres) of land – an area roughly the size of 80 square miles.
In France's Pyrénées-Orientales department, over 700 firefighters are battling a wildfire that has consumed 5,000 hectares and displaced more than 10,000 people. The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, warned that wildfires have now spread to five departments, with the latest blaze near the Tour de France route forcing spectators to be banned from Monday's third stage through the Pyrenees.
In Spain, a fire has ravaged 2,200 hectares of land, mostly within the protected natural area of Les Gavarres. Meanwhile, in central Portugal, over 1,200 firefighters – supported by international aid from Spain and Italy – are fighting to contain a massive blaze that has devoured 13,000 hectares. Portugal's Interior Minister, Luís Neves, described the conditions as a 'powder keg', highlighting the extreme danger posed by the dry, hot weather.
Greece is also grappling with its own wildfires, including one in Thessaloniki that ignited two factories and forced evacuation alerts for three suburbs. Toxic smoke has been blanketing the area, prompting residents to stay indoors. Another large wildfire erupted west of Athens, further straining emergency services.