Wildfires in Europe are taking hold as a severe heatwave intensifies. The UK has faced its hottest day of the year so far with temperatures reaching 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday July 1, 2025, and the Met Office has confirmed that this is England’s hottest June on record. Elsewhere in the continent, temperatures in southern Spain reached 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and wildfires are sweeping across Turkey and France. Below, we look at which countries and areas have been most affected by the wildfires, and what it means for travelers.
Wildfires in Turkiye’s Izmir
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Where in Europe are there wildfires?
At the time of writing (Tuesday, July 1, 2025), there are wildfires raging across Turkey’s western regions. Forest fires in the French region of Corbières were also reported on Sunday June 29, 2025.
In August 2024, wildfires spread through Greece in areas near Athens, where flames reportedly reached heights of over 65 feet. In 2023, fires blazed in Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Algeria, among other countries. Thousands of people, including vacationers, were evacuated across these countries, and airlines put on repatriation flights to some of the destinations most affected, including the Greek islands.
Where are the wildfires in Turkey?
According to the BBC, more than 50,000 people have been evacuated so far, mainly from the area of Izmir, but fires have also been reported in Bilecik, Hatay, Sakarya, and Manisa. Recent, consistent high temperatures have dried out the land, leading to fires causing considerable damage to property and land, and there have been reports of serious injuries.
Where are the wildfires in France?
The French government has issued a red alert for extreme weather as temperatures soar across the country. Wildfires erupted over the southern Corbières mountain range on June 29, 2025, and subsequently led to evacuations and a motorway closure according to reports from the BBC. French officials stated that the fires have since been contained.
What’s causing Europe’s wildfires?
The three factors that impact the spread of fires are high temperatures, drought, and high wind. Much of Mediterranean Europe is already experiencing serious heatwaves this summer, and while many factors can be the final spark that ignites a wildfire (campfires, lightning, etc), hot temperatures are key.