Deadly Wildfires Sweep Through Southern Europe, Killing Dozens

On August 13, 2025, a series of devastating wildfires continued to sweep through southern Europe, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. In Spain, a blaze north of Madrid killed 26 horses in their stables, along with a 55-year-old man who died trying to save the animals. The man suffered burns to 98% of his body and passed away in the hospital after being airlifted there by helicopter.

Tragically, a 35-year-old Spanish volunteer firefighter also lost his life while attempting to create firebreaks near Nogarejas in the Castile and Leon region. Several other firefighters were hospitalized with severe burns as the state weather agency warned of an extreme or very high risk of fire across almost the entire country.

The wildfires have consumed homes, farms, and factories, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists in Greece, Portugal, and Albania. Authorities suspect that some of the blazes were started by arsonists, while others were sparked by thunderstorms during the relentless heatwave that has gripped the region.

In Greece, a cement factory on the outskirts of Patras was engulfed in flames, and officials ordered the evacuation of a nearby town of 7,700 people. On the tourist islands of Chios and Cephalonia, residents were also instructed to seek safety as the fires continued to spread.

The situation remains critical, with thousands of firefighters, soldiers, and police emergency units battling a total of 24 wildfires across Albania. Villagers have been forced to flee their homes, taking their livestock with them as the flames reach their communities.