BRUSSELS—European authorities expanded public safety measures across several countries on Saturday as renewed heat and ongoing wildfire threats strained emergency services, prompting evacuations, tighter access controls in high-risk areas and fresh public health warnings.
Officials in Spain, France, Greece and other Mediterranean countries maintained heightened wildfire alerts after successive heat waves left vegetation exceptionally dry, increasing the risk of rapidly spreading fires despite cooler conditions in some regions earlier in the week. Authorities said firefighting resources remained on high readiness as temperatures were forecast to rise again in parts of southern Europe.
National and local governments urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel in fire-prone areas, comply with evacuation orders where issued and limit outdoor activity during periods of extreme heat. Emergency agencies also advised the public to monitor official warning systems as firefighting operations continued in several locations.
The World Health Organization's Europe office said extreme heat should be treated as a recurring public health emergency rather than an isolated weather event. WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge urged governments to expand measures including early warning systems, cooling centers and outreach to vulnerable residents, noting that preparedness can substantially reduce heat-related deaths.
European Union institutions have also strengthened seasonal wildfire preparedness following record fire activity in recent years. The European Commission said hundreds of firefighters, firefighting aircraft and emergency response teams were positioned across high-risk regions for the 2026 fire season, while the Council of the European Union recently adopted recommendations calling for stronger prevention, cross-border cooperation and integrated wildfire risk management.
Meteorological agencies warned that prolonged periods of high temperatures, drought and strong winds continued to elevate wildfire danger across parts of southern Europe. Recent fires in Spain prompted evacuations and destroyed large areas of land, while Greece remained under elevated fire risk and increased monitoring as authorities sought to prevent new outbreaks.
Scientists and public health experts have linked the growing frequency and intensity of European heat waves and wildfire conditions to climate change, while cautioning that the health impacts often extend beyond officially recorded heat-related fatalities. Preliminary analyses have indicated thousands of excess deaths across Europe during this summer's extreme heat episodes, although assessments continue to be updated as additional data become available.
Authorities said emergency services would remain on heightened alert through the weekend, with weather conditions and wildfire risks under continuous monitoring.
