Spain has recorded its third death from wildfires this week while Greece began beating back a blaze threatening its third-largest city as a heatwave that began last week continues to sweep through Southern Europe.
Spanish authorities reported the death on Thursday of a 37-year-old volunteer firefighter who sustained severe burns while battling flames in the northwestern Castile and Leon region, taking the toll to three after earlier reported deaths there and near Madrid this week.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences in an online post.
“The wildfire situation remains serious, and taking extra precautions is essential. Thank you, once again, to all those working tirelessly to fight the flames.”
The extreme summer heat, which scientists say human-driven climate change is lengthening and intensifying, has fuelled blazes and stretched firefighters across Southern Europe, including in Portugal and the Balkans.
The fires have particularly scorched Spain, devouring more than 157,000 hectares (388,000 acres) this year – more than triple the area burned during the same period in 2024.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes this week in Spain because of the fires, mostly in Castile and Leon.
Spanish investigators said Thursday they had arrested four people suspected of starting forest fires, taking the total number of accused this season to 30.
France announced it would send two water bombers to Spain, which has also appealed to the European Union for aircraft to reinforce hard-pressed firefighting teams battling on several fronts, notably in the northwest.
Greece, which had requested assistance from the EU to battle its wildfires, gained ground against a major blaze that had closed in on the western port city of Patras.
Firefighters faced “scattered” pockets of flames, but the fire was “still active” in the eastern outskirts of Patras, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. At least 15 firefighters had been hospitalised or received medical attention for burns, smoke inhalation or exhaustion, he added.
