Wildfires kill three firefighters as blazes intensify across southern Europe
Wildfires continued to burn across France, Spain and Italy, forcing thousands to evacuate, killing three firefighters and destroying tens of thousands of hectares as hot, dry conditions intensified the 2026 fire season.
- Three firefighters have died battling separate wildfires in France and Italy this week.
- Thousands of residents have been evacuated as major fires continue across France, Spain and Italy.
- More than 254,000 hectares have burned across the European Union so far this year.
Wildfires continued to rage across parts of France, Spain and Italy on Thursday as scorching temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions fuelled blazes that have forced thousands of people to evacuate and claimed the lives of three firefighters this week.
Authorities across the three countries have mobilised thousands of emergency personnel to battle multiple fires, while several regions remain on high alert as the 2026 wildfire season intensifies.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), around 254,388 hectares have burned across the European Union so far this year. The figure is above the long-term average for the same period, although below the 270,449 hectares recorded by this stage in 2025.
France mourns two firefighters
France has been battling several major wildfires, with the largest currently burning in the Gironde department in the country's southwest.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday near the town of Saumos before spreading south-west towards Le Porge and Lège-Cap-Ferret, a popular summer holiday destination near the Arcachon Basin. More than 10,000 people were evacuated overnight, including residents of six campsites and a naturist residential estate.
By Thursday morning, the fire had scorched more than 2,000 hectares, while around 500 firefighters were deployed to contain the flames with aerial support.
Captain Wilfried Schneider described the fire as being of "rare" intensity, citing the dense pine forests typical of the Landes de Gascogne region.
Authorities said no civilian casualties had been reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The mayor of Le Porge, Martial Zaninetti, said it may have been sparked by a cleaning machine operating on a forest track, although this has not been confirmed by investigators.
The Gironde prefecture has banned forestry work and other activities involving combustion engines after the department was placed under the highest wildfire alert.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said two firefighters were killed while battling a separate wildfire in the Mérignac suburb of Bordeaux on Tuesday. He met their families and colleagues on Wednesday.
"On behalf of the President of the Republic, the government and the entire nation, which owes them so much, I expressed our boundless gratitude and our unwavering support," Nuñez wrote on social media.
According to the Interior Ministry, France has recorded more than 12,500 wildfires since the beginning of the year, with approximately 44,000 hectares already destroyed — exceeding the area burned during the severe 2022 wildfire season over the same period.
Firefighter dies battling Sicilian blaze
Italy has also experienced widespread wildfires, particularly in Sicily, where authorities mobilised around 6,000 emergency responders, including firefighters, forestry officers and civil protection personnel.
Regional authorities said about 300 of the island's 344 reported fires had been extinguished by Wednesday, although major blazes remained active in Casaboli, Bivona, Alimena, San Cataldo, Galati Mamertino, parts of Madonie Park and the Syracuse area.
One firefighter, 59-year-old Alessandro Marchì, died while responding to a fire in San Cataldo, near Caltanissetta. Officials said he suffered a medical emergency while carrying out firefighting operations.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi paid tribute to him.
"He lost his life whilst carrying out his duty, in the service of the community. On behalf of myself and the Ministry of the Interior, I extend my deepest condolences to his family," Piantedosi said.
More than 100 residents were evacuated from the town of Santo Stefano di Quisquina near Agrigento after a fast-moving wildfire threatened homes, driven by strong sirocco winds. Other regions affected by fires include Calabria, Molise, Sardinia, Puglia, Umbria and Tuscany.
Spain evacuates residents as fires spread
Spain is also confronting multiple large wildfires.
One of the most significant is burning between Almorox in Toledo province and Villa del Prado, south-west of Madrid, prompting evacuations and confinement orders in nearby communities as the fire spread rapidly towards residential areas. Authorities deployed at least 88 firefighters, 35 vehicles and a helicopter to tackle the blaze.
Footage released by Spain's Guardia Civil and shared on its Instagram account showed officers going door to door to evacuate residents, assisting elderly people to safety and checking homes to ensure no one had been left behind as flames and thick smoke approached residential neighbourhoods. The force urged residents to follow emergency instructions while firefighters and police continued operations.
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According to local media, the authorities had intensified operations in the Almorox and Villa del Prado wildfire, deploying 88 personnel, 35 vehicles and one helicopter, while urging the public to continue following the instructions of emergency services as firefighting efforts continued.
The wildfire has affected residential areas, with authorities reporting damage to around 30 homes. Roads, including the N-403 and M-507, remain closed in affected areas, while Spain's Military Emergency Unit has joined firefighting operations.
Separately, authorities in the southern Andalusia region evacuated 384 residents from Villanueva de las Cruces in Huelva province after shifting winds intensified the El Cerro de Andévalo wildfire.
Andalusian regional emergency minister Antonio Sanz said changing wind conditions had complicated firefighting efforts, although residents had been safely evacuated to a temporary shelter in Calañas.
The fire is estimated to have burned more than 1,200 hectares. Thirteen aircraft, more than 120 forest firefighters and heavy machinery have been deployed, while emergency medical teams assisted residents suffering from smoke inhalation and evacuated a bedridden person from the affected area.
Meanwhile, another major wildfire in Guadalajara province, north of Madrid, has already burned approximately 32,000 hectares.
Authorities across southern Europe remain on high alert as firefighters continue efforts to contain multiple active blazes amid persistent hot, dry weather.
