Climate change drives deadlier wildfires across Europe

4 min read

Wildfires across Europe have killed hundreds over the last decade, and a recent blaze in southern Spain killed at least 11 people, one of the country's deadliest. Europe is warming faster than the global average, and 2025 was among the hottest years, producing intense heat waves and prolonged dryness. Scientists say burning fuels has contributed to hotter, drier conditions that increase wildfire frequency and intensity. The article recounts major disasters and consequences, including Greece's 2018 Mati fire, Turkey's death of 10 forestry workers, Portugal's deadly 2017 Pedrogao Grande and subsequent reforms, and attribution studies linking recent fires to climate trends.

Climate change is increasing deadly wildfire risk in Europe