Firefighters battle fierce, prolonged wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 6, 2026

Hundreds of firefighters from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece are actively combating extensive wildfires that have destroyed thousands of hectares across southern Europe, including a major blaze in Portugal’s Vouzela region and a toxic fire near Thessaloniki. The coordinated response, involving aerial support and international reinforcements, aims to prevent further damage amid ongoing heat and dry conditions, while investigations continue into suspected causes such as the arrested individual linked to the Thessaloniki fire.

Hundreds of firefighters continued to battle extensive wildfires across southern Europe on Sunday, with significant efforts focused in Portugal, Greece, and Spain. Reinforcements from Spain and Italy were dispatched to support Portuguese crews confronting a major blaze in the central Vouzela region that has persisted for more than three days.

In Portugal, over 1,200 firefighters supported by nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft, including water-dropping planes and helicopters, were engaged in suppressing the fire that began on Thursday. Satellite data from the European Union’s Copernicus mapping agency revealed that the wildfire had consumed approximately 12,000 hectares by Sunday. Authorities reported that the fire had no major active fronts by the afternoon, although some hotspots remained. Spain contributed 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles starting Friday, while Italy and Spain also provided three firefighting aircraft to aid in containment efforts.

Meanwhile, in northeastern Spain, a wildfire near Girona had burned close to 2,200 hectares by Sunday. Eduard Martinez, head of operations for the Catalan Fire Service, noted that the fire’s perimeter stretched about 40 kilometers, and there were concerns it might not be fully controlled by the end of the day.

In Greece, authorities grappled with multiple wildfires in the Thessaloniki area. A fast-moving fire engulfed a recycling plant near the Oraiokastro suburb on Saturday, producing toxic smoke that prompted local officials to advise residents to stay indoors and secure their homes. The blaze led to evacuation alerts in three suburbs and a facility housing over 150 people with disabilities. Around 160 firefighters, assisted by volunteers, specialized teams, and aerial support, fought through the night and into Sunday to contain the fire, which was driven by strong winds.

Oraiokastro Mayor Pandelis Tsakiris reported damage to several homes and businesses, with a full assessment expected after the situation stabilizes. The fire department also announced the arrest of a 76-year-old man suspected of causing the fire by generating sparks with his vehicle, which ignited nearby vegetation. He was scheduled to appear before a prosecutor on Sunday.

The recycling plant fire followed another recent wildfire near Thessaloniki that tragically resulted in the deaths of a 12-year-old boy and his father. Further north, Greek authorities responded to an additional wildfire west of Athens, deploying 210 firefighters, volunteers, specialized teams, and 29 aircraft to contain flames spreading through pine forests near the Mandra area. Efforts were focused on controlling the blaze before nightfall, when aerial firefighting operations become more difficult.

Overall, emergency services in southern Europe remain on high alert amid continuing heat and dry conditions that have contributed to the severity and scale of the wildfires being battled across the region.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.