Europe’s heat crisis has escalated sharply since mid-July, with wildfires now the dominant danger rather than heat alone. France is battling its worst wildfire since the Second World War near Bordeaux, Spain has declared its first-ever national wildfire emergency around Madrid, and Portugal and Greece are also fighting major blazes.
This guide covers exactly which countries carry warnings as of 29 July 2026, what the death toll and wildfire situation looks like so far, and what travellers heading to Europe right now should actually do.
Which Countries Are Under Warnings Right Now
The danger has widened rather than narrowed: France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece are all fighting major wildfires alongside renewed heat, and the crisis is now the worst wildfire season Western Europe has seen in decades.
Western and northern Europe have cooled from their June and early-July heat peaks, though the UK remains in its longest dry spell since the mid-1990s.
| Country / Region | Current Conditions (29 Jul) | Alert Level | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Gironde fire near Bordeaux has burned roughly 42,000 hectares and forced around 220,000 evacuations, prompting President Macron to call it France’s worst since WWII; Landes region also hit | Red (wildfire, national crisis) | Wildfire |
| Spain | First-ever national wildfire emergency declared for the Madrid region and Ávila on 24 July; over 100,000 evacuated nationwide this month, with fires also burning near Toledo and Castellón | Red (national emergency) | Wildfire, extreme heat |
| Portugal | Around 30,000 hectares burned across thousands of separate fires, including a blaze near Vouzela sending smoke over 600km; EU aircraft and Spanish/Italian crews assisting near Lisbon and Porto | Red/orange (wildfire) | Wildfire |
| Italy (Sicily & Sardinia) | Renewed heat above 40°C and active fires; a firefighter died battling a blaze near Caltanissetta, Sicily, on 23 July, with Rome and Florence also affected | Red (heat and wildfire, multiple cities) | Extreme heat, wildfire |
| Greece | Active wildfires with authorities warning of toxic smoke in affected areas; Athens heat has eased from its early-summer peak but fire risk remains high | Orange/red in places | Wildfire, smoke |
| Balkans (Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia) | Weather has flipped from heat to severe hail and thunderstorms moving south-eastward across the region | Red (storm warnings) | Hail, flash flooding |
| United Kingdom | No active heatwave; longest dry spell since the mid-1990s, with Thames Water restricting supply for 10 million customers around London | None (heat); drought advisory | Drought |
| Germany, Benelux & Central Europe | Cooled from June and early-July peaks, incl. Frankfurt and Amsterdam; no major alerts currently | None | — |
This wildfire surge follows the record-breaking June heatwave that gripped France, Spain, Germany and the UK, and forecasters warn renewed heat could push conditions further into August.
Meteoalarm, which aggregates warnings from national weather services across the continent, is the most reliable place to check live alerts for any specific destination.
The Toll So Far: Deaths, Wildfires and Vulnerable Groups
Europe’s wildfires and heat have now killed dozens of people this summer, and the European Commission has mobilised its largest civil protection response on record.
- Fire deaths: at least 16 civilians and 3 firefighters have died in the wildfires since late June, including a firefighter killed in Sicily on 23 July and two firefighters killed in France.
- Evacuations: more than 320,000 people have been evacuated across Spain and France alone since fires intensified in mid-July, with tens of thousands more displaced in Portugal.
- EU response: the rescEU fleet has deployed aircraft, helicopters and hundreds of firefighters from across Europe to Spain, France and Portugal under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
- Most at risk: older travellers, young children, pregnant women, and anyone with a heart or breathing condition.
EuroMOMO mortality surveillance recorded roughly 12,000 to 14,000 excess deaths across Europe in the last week of June alone, its highest weekly figure since tracking began in 2020.
The World Health Organization’s Europe office says heat has contributed to more than 200,000 deaths across the region over the past four years, and warned that “more deadly weeks may still lie ahead.”
Travel Disruption and Your Rights
Heat, storms and wildfires have disrupted flights and trains at multiple points across Europe this summer, and travellers flying to, from or within the EU have clear legal protections regardless of the cause.
If your flight is cancelled or badly delayed, EU rules protect you. Under Regulation EC 261 — on flights within the EU, or into it on an EU airline — you’re entitled to:
- Care: meals, refreshments and a hotel if you’re stranded overnight.
- Refund or rerouting: your choice of a full refund or an alternative flight.
- Compensation: usually not owed, as weather counts as an “extraordinary circumstance.”
Keep your receipts and request rerouting in writing.
How to Stay Safe
Health authorities including the World Health Organization and the UK’s NHS give the same core advice for extreme heat.
- Drink water often, enough to stay hydrated, and go easy on alcohol and caffeine.
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, especially between 11am and 3pm.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, light clothing and sunscreen.
- Cool down with showers or a damp cloth, and keep your room shaded.
- Never leave children, adults or pets in a parked car.
In wildfire-affected areas, the advice is different: follow evacuation orders immediately, avoid dry woodland and mountain trails, and keep car windows closed if you see or smell smoke.
- Check your government’s travel advisory and local news for the latest fire perimeter before heading into an affected area.
- Stick to main roads, since back roads and trails can be cut off quickly once a fire spreads.
- Follow official alert channels rather than social media for evacuation instructions.
If your dates are flexible, northern destinations such as Norway, Iceland and Finland have largely escaped this summer’s worst heat and wildfire activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries currently have the worst heat and wildfire risk?
As of late July, France, Spain and Portugal have the largest active wildfires, with France’s Gironde fire the worst the country has seen since WWII and Spain under its first-ever national wildfire emergency. Italy and Greece are also fighting fires and renewed heat, while the Balkans have shifted into severe storms rather than heat.
Is it safe to travel to Spain, France, Portugal, Italy or Greece right now?
Major cities remain open and reachable, but the wildfire risk is serious in rural, wooded and semi-rural areas near active blazes. Avoid midday activity, follow local alerts, and stay away from any active fire zone or evacuation area.
What should I do if my destination is under a wildfire warning?
Follow official evacuation orders immediately and don’t wait to see how bad it gets. Check your government’s travel advisory and local news for the latest fire perimeter before heading into affected areas.
Can I get compensation if heat or wildfires disrupt my flight?
Usually not, since weather and wildfires count as an “extraordinary circumstance” under EC 261. You’re still owed care from the airline, plus a refund or rerouting.
What are the warning signs of heatstroke?
Feeling faint, dizzy or confused, a pounding heart, and hot dry skin or no sweating. It is an emergency — move the person somewhere cool and call 112.
Sources
- NPR — With Wildfires Raging in France and Spain, Fire Crews Race Against Next Heat Wave
- Euronews — Europe Is Burning: How Bad Could This Wildfire Crisis Get?
- Euronews — Southern Europe Still Battling Wildfires as Spain Declares National Emergency in Madrid Region
- Al Jazeera — Wildfires in Southwest Europe: What We Know So Far
- European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) — The EU Sends Planes and Firefighters as Wildfires Ravage France and Spain
- Copernicus (C3S) — Record Heatwave Brings Hottest June for Western Europe During Second-Warmest June Globally
- WHO/Europe — Extreme Heat: More Deadly Weeks May Still Lie Ahead
- Meteoalarm — Early Warnings for Europe
- World Health Organization — Heatwaves: How to Stay Cool
- NHS — Heatwave: How to Cope in Hot Weather
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) 261/2004
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
