By Abbas Nazil
Deadly wildfires have continued to spread across Greece and Turkiye, adding to a growing wave of destructive blazes across southern Europe as the European Union calls for urgent climate action and increased investment to address worsening wildfire risks.
The fires have affected several countries in recent weeks, including Spain, France and Portugal, with authorities warning that rising temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds are increasing the likelihood of more severe and frequent wildfire events.
In Greece, two firefighters were killed while battling forest fires on the island of Crete on Wednesday, while another firefighter died during a separate blaze in the Peloponnese region.
Several wildfires also erupted across western Turkiye, destroying homes, blocking roads and forcing residents to evacuate affected communities as emergency teams worked to contain the flames.
The European Union’s crisis management commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, said the bloc must strengthen its climate response by increasing investment, improving public awareness of fire risks and enhancing forest management strategies.
She warned that climate change is advancing faster than previously predicted, requiring governments to prepare for disasters before they occur rather than responding only after destruction has already happened.
“Climate change is accelerating, so our response must evolve just as quickly,” Lahbib said, stressing the need for faster implementation of climate adaptation measures.
Her comments came as France and Spain prepared for another intense heatwave that could worsen existing fires and trigger new outbreaks.
In France, wildfires in the southwestern Gironde region have burned more than 42,000 hectares of land, an area estimated to be around four times the size of Paris.
Authorities said more than 220,000 people have been evacuated across France, while Spain has recorded over 110,000 evacuations due to wildfire threats.
The European Union’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre has also warned that Italy and parts of central Europe could face increasing wildfire risks in the coming days.
Europe remains the fastest-warming continent in the world, with scientists warning that rising temperatures are contributing to more extreme weather events and creating significant economic and health challenges.
French officials said fires in Gironde had been brought under control overnight but remained active, with temperatures expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius as dry winds threatened to increase fire intensity.
Spain has also continued battling several wildfires, although progress has allowed thousands of residents to return home.
The country’s weather agency warned that wildfire risks remain very high or extreme in most regions due to continued heat and dry conditions.
In Pelayos de la Presa, southwest of Madrid, residents returned to communities where homes had been destroyed by flames, with many describing the damage as devastating.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the coming hours would be critical in determining whether firefighters could successfully contain the remaining fires.
The worsening wildfire crisis has renewed calls for stronger climate policies, improved disaster preparedness and greater investment in adaptation measures as countries face the growing impacts of global warming.
