Lisbon: Deadly wildfires and extreme heat continued to grip parts of southern Europe on Wednesday, forcing mass evacuations, straining emergency services, and setting new temperature records.
According to Anadolu Agency, in Portugal, Civil Protection reported that a forest fire in Ermidas-Sado, Santiago do Cacem, had entered the resolution phase. However, the national meteorological institute extended an orange heat alert until Thursday in several inland regions due to persistent high temperatures. More than 110 municipalities in the north, central interior, and Algarve remain at maximum fire risk.
France has placed five departments-Aude, Isere, Rhone, Drome, and Ardeche-on red heat wave alert until Thursday morning. The French news broadcaster BFM TV reported temperatures exceeding 42°C and tropical nights in some areas. Firefighters battling the Aude blaze, now under control, reported exhaustion after a week of operations. Cooling stations and hydration measures have been deployed for crews. Meteo-France also placed 12 departments on orange alert for thunderstorms.
In Spain, at least 16 major fires remained active late Tuesday, with only one stabilized, as reported by the Interior Ministry. Rai news highlighted the severity of the Chandrexa de Queixa fire in Ourense, which has burned over 3,500 hectares of land, and the Molezuelas de la Carballeda blaze in Zamora and Leon, which forced 4,300 evacuations and claimed a volunteer firefighter's life. Fires in Castilla-La Mancha prompted lockdowns and road closures, and Asturias declared emergency level two in Cangas de Narcea, requesting military support.
Albania is also experiencing one of its worst wildfire crises in years. The Defense Ministry reported 30 active blazes nationwide. Fires claimed the life of an 80-year-old man in Gramsh and forced evacuations in multiple regions, including Delvine, where flames threatened oil wells and a hospital, as reported by Dosja. Army helicopters and international assistance from the UAE, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are aiding firefighting efforts.