Across Europe, summer has taken a dangerous turn. From the beaches of Croatia and Greece to the forests of France and parts of Britain and Germany, firefighters are battling wildfires that have forced residents and tourists to flee their homes and holiday destinations.
The fires are spreading as much of the continent faces intense heat, dry vegetation and strong winds. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre says wildfire activity this year is already above the long-term average, although the area burned so far remains below the record set in 2025.
In Croatia, flames swept toward the coastal town of Omis overnight Friday, turning the sky red and sending residents and tourists rushing to safety. About 1,000 people were evacuated, while 36 people were treated for injuries. Firefighters battled the blaze with hundreds of personnel, vehicles and aircraft before bringing it largely under control.
The fire was especially frightening because of how quickly it moved. Strong winds pushed flames through dry vegetation toward homes and vehicles, forcing authorities to close a major coastal highway and move people into emergency shelters.
Greece has faced a similar struggle. In the popular Halkidiki region, hundreds of residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea after flames approached coastal communities. More than 140 firefighters, backed by helicopters and firefighting aircraft, worked to keep the blaze from spreading further.
For many tourists, a summer holiday suddenly became a race to safety. Instead of spending the day on beaches or in hotels, some visitors found themselves boarding boats or gathering at evacuation points as smoke filled the air.
France is also dealing with a difficult fire season. In the southwestern Landes region, authorities evacuated 525 people from Luglon after flames spread through dry pine forests. More than 500 firefighters and six aircraft were deployed, with about 1,100 hectares burned.
Britain, meanwhile, experienced its hottest day of the year Thursday, with temperatures reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius in London. Wildfires broke out in parts of central England, destroying homes and sending firefighters and a child to the hospital.
Germany has also been affected. About 1,800 people were evacuated from Hürtgenwald after a wildfire expanded rapidly, prompting authorities to bring in additional emergency resources, including helicopters and military assistance.
The combination of heat and drought is making the situation harder. Dry forests and grasslands can ignite more easily, while strong winds can carry flames quickly across large areas. The European Space Agency says extreme heat has become increasingly frequent and intense in Europe, with Western Europe recording its warmest June on record in 2026.
Europe has experienced devastating wildfire seasons before. Greece, Portugal, Spain and France have all suffered major fires in recent years, with communities evacuated and lives lost. But scientists and European officials say today’s prolonged heat and worsening drought are creating conditions that allow fires to become more intense and difficult to control.
Climate change does not cause every individual wildfire, but rising temperatures can dry vegetation and extend the periods when fires can spread. That has made wildfire prevention and preparedness an increasingly important issue for European governments.
For the people caught in the middle of the fires, however, the debate over climate change feels very immediate. It means leaving homes with little warning, watching smoke rise over familiar landscapes and wondering whether there will be anything left to return to.
Firefighters remain on the front lines, working through extreme temperatures and difficult terrain to protect communities. Even where flames have been brought under control, authorities remain alert for new outbreaks as hot and dry conditions continue.
The fires are also disrupting Europe’s busy summer tourism season, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. For countries that depend heavily on tourism, the growing threat of extreme weather presents another challenge beyond the immediate cost of fighting fires and rebuilding damaged communities.
The immediate priority remains protecting lives and preventing fires from spreading into populated areas. But authorities are also facing a broader challenge: preparing communities for a climate in which extreme heat, drought and wildfire risks are becoming increasingly difficult to treat as isolated summer emergencies.
